American Game Developer Sentanced to Death in Iran

An American game developer has been sentenced to death in Iran for spying and spreading propaganda through Kuma Games.

American born Amir Mirzaei Hekmati confessed in Iran state television and in the Islamic Revolutionary Court that he acted as a CIA spy working for Kuma to spread US propaganda in the Middle East. Whether this confession was genuine, forced or staged is unknown at this time.

"[Kuma] was receiving money from the CIA to produce and design and distribute for free special movies and games with the aim of manipulating public opinion in the Middle East.” The former US Marine allegedly confessed. “The goal of the company in question was to convince the people of Iran and the people of the entire world that whatever the US does in other countries is a good measure."

The White House is currently demanding that Hekmati is released, with the National Security Counsel denying he works for the CIA. Hekmati was visiting family in Iran at the time of his arrest.

Kuma Games and the CIA have yet to comment.

[via New York Times]