Religious freedom advocates claimed he was arrested by the state because of his Christian faith. During his time in prison there were reports of his torture and abuse suffered at the hands of the regime.
The three witnesses who testified on Tuesday expressed serious concern for their loved ones in Iran.
Babak Namazi, whose brother Siamak was arrested in Iran in October of 2015 and whose father Baquer was detained in February of 2016 during a trip to Iran where he tried to see his son, told of how both have suffered while in prison, including while in solitary confinement.
His 81-year-old father has a "severe heart condition that requires medication and may shortly require a pacemaker," Namazi said, and "has been twice been hospitalized for a week at a time" in recent months.
"It is obvious that his condition, both physical and mental, is rapidly deteriorating. My father's prison sentence is a death sentence," Namazi said.
Meanwhile, his brother has suffered in "horrific" conditions, he said, including prolonged isolation and regular beatings and tazings.
Omar Zakka testified about his father Nazir who has been imprisoned in Iran for two years. Nazir, who has suffered physical abuse in prison, is currently on a hunger strike, Omar said.
"All of this pain and suffering has led my dad to this ongoing hunger strike; he told me the other day that we do not put our heads down for anyone," Omar said.
"My dad said that he would rather die for his cause than live with injustice and what they are doing to him. In fact, he said this phrase to us, in Arabic, that translates to 'liberty or death'."
Douglas Levinson said his father, due to his long absence, has missed several of his children's weddings and graduations, and has never met five of his grandchildren.
"We need Bob Levinson, we need my father back now," Douglas said on Tuesday. "It's been 10 years. He's missed so much."
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Matt Hadro was the political editor at Catholic News Agency through October 2021. He previously worked as CNA senior D.C. correspondent and as a press secretary for U.S. Congressman Chris Smith.