Regarding the wider issue of arbitrary detention of EU citizens, including dual nationals, the EU and Member States discuss these cases discretely and closely coordinate their public statements on them. However, each consular case is different. Consular affairs are primarily a prerogative of Member States, and it is, first and foremost, their to decision how to best approach each case, including whether and to request the EU’s and other Member States’ involvement.

After almost 8 years of unimaginable suffering, Siamak Namazi is finally free, thus ending the cycle of misery and anguish that the the whole Namazi family has been going through ever since both Siamak and his father Baquer were held by the Iranian regime.

At long last, we joyously celebrate and welcome the freedom of Siamak Namazi, Morad Tahbaz and Emad Sharghi from their unlawful detention in Iran in addition to 2 unknown Americans.

Hostage Aid Worldwide and EU Watch sent a joint letter to High Representative and Vice-President Josep Borrell Fontelles in light of recent developments concerning the arrest of Swedish EU official Johan Floderus and the increasing number of EU hostages held in Iran

U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs, Roger Carstens presented Nizar with the special “SPEHA” challenge coin.
HAW members and former hostages Alan Gross and Xiyue Wang, and board member Ali Arab also proudly presented Nizar with a token of recognition to commemorate this occasion.

Hostage Aid Worldwide is immensely grateful for the release of Austrian citizens Kamran Ghaderi and Massud Mossaheb, as well as a Danish national, who were all freed from unlawful detention in Iran and are returning home to their families and loved ones.

Hostage Aid Worldwide gladly welcomes the release of Belgian aid worker Olivier Vandecasteele who was wrongfully detained in Iran for over a year.
Olivier, who dedicated his life to humanitarian work and relief programs in India, Afghanistan, and Mali was arrested in Iran on February 24, 2022 and sentenced to 40 years and 74 lashes on alleged charges of espionage after a grossly sham trial.

Hostage Aid Worldwide proudly presented former American hostage Barry Rosen and his wife Barbara with a token of recognition and appreciation for all the suffering they endured. He was one of 52 Americans held under brutal conditions for 444 days by Iranian militants. Barry has been an advocate for hostages and their families since his release nearly four decades ago on January 20, 1981.

Hostage Aid Worldwide is immensely grateful that French citizen Benjamin Briere and Irish French citizen Bernard Phelan have finally been freed from unlawful detention and are returning home to their families and loved ones to resume the life they were robbed of while incarcerated in Iran.

Former hostage Nizar Zakka and Hostage Aid Worldwide members met with Mr. Tomeu Vadell, former American hostage who was released from captivity in Venezuela on October 1st, 2022, and his family. Hostage Aid proudly presented him with a token of recognition and appreciation for all the suffering he endured.