US sanctions Russian FSB, Iranians over alleged hostage-taking

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - The US sanctioned Thursday official entities in Russia and Iran for allegedly working to wrongfully detain multiple Americans, including Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB), the successor to the Soviet Union's KGB.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the FSB "has repeatedly been involved in the arrest, investigation, and detention of U.S. nationals wrongfully detained in Russia."

Sanctioned alongside the FSB is the intelligence arm of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC-IO), as well as four of its top officials. Those include Commander Mohammad Kazemi, counterintelligence official Ruhollah Bazghandi, Deputy Chief Mohamad Mehdi Sayyari and Co-Deputy Chief Brig. Gen. Mohammad Hasan Mohagheghi.

The IRGC-IO "frequently holds and interrogates detainees in the notorious Evin Prison, in addition to the IRGC-IO’s direct role in the repression of protests and arrest of dissidents, including dual nationals," the Treasury Department said in announcing the new financial penalties.

Blinken said the actions "are a clear and direct warning to those around the world who wrongfully detain U.S. nationals of the potential consequences of their actions."

"Russia’s and Iran’s continued pattern of wrongfully detaining U.S. nationals is unacceptable. The United States will never stop working to secure the release of U.S. nationals who are wrongfully detained or held hostage and reunite them with their loved ones," he said in a statement.

The US is currently involved in disputes with Russia over two high-profile Americans whom the Biden administration has designated as wrongfully detained, including Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich who was arrested March 29 by the FSB and later charged with espionage. No public information has been released substantiating the charges.

The US is also seeking the release of American businessman Paul Whelan, who has been detained in Russia since 2018.

Several Americans have also been detained in Iran, including businessman Emad Shargi.