File photo: Marziyeh Hashemi, born as Melanie Franklin Wikimedia CommonsThe broadcaster said Hashemi was born as Melanie Franklin in the US, but changed her name after converting to IslamUS police have arrested an American-born journalist working for Iran’s English-language Press TV on unspecified charges, the state-run broadcaster reported on Wednesday. Press TV said Marziyeh Hashemi was arrested at St Louis Lambert International Airport on Sunday and was sent to custody in Washington DC, but no formal charges have been made against her. Hashemi was in the United States to visit her family, the broadcaster said, and was allowed to call her daughter two days after her arrest. According to Press TV, Hashemi was born as Melanie Franklin in the United States, and changed her name after converting to Islam. The only food she has had over the past two days has been a “packet of crackers,” Hashemi was quoted as saying by Press TV.

Source: Dhaka Tribune January 16, 2019 07:30 UTC