American therapist passed away after being imprisoned in Syria for over seven years.
Tragedically, he was unable to endure the harsh surroundings of the prisons, surviving for seven lengthy years without any hearings, trials, or contact with his loved ones. This was stated by Jonathan Franks, who represents BoFH, a group dedicated to advocating for American citizens who have been taken hostage or wrongfully detained overseas.
"He was a compassionate, caring, and loving individual who portrayed these qualities as a son, husband, father, grandfather, and uncle," said the statement.
Kamalmaz, a psychotherapist hailing from Texas, was apprehended at a checkpoint in Damascus, Syria in 2017 while he was visiting family.
Back in 2020, CNN shared news about the Kamalmaz family being optimistic about their father's case, hoping for progress following a visit to Damascus from officials in the Trump administration. The visit was made in an effort to free American prisoners thought to be under the custody of the Syrian government.
However, Kamalmaz never returned home, and the silence from his detainment in 2017 prevailed.
"We feel like we're not being acknowledged," Maryam Kamalmaz, discussing her father's disappearance earlier this year on the inaugural Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day, shared with CNN.
She and her family pleaded with the Biden administration to meet with them, but their request was not granted.
Maryam Kamalmaz concluded the statement that announced her father's death, reminiscing, "For the past seven years, we've been trying to come to terms with my father's absence. The pain and emotional toll it has taken on our family has been substantial. He will be dearly missed, yet we hope that his legacy of assisting those in need persists and is continued by others."
CNN reached out to the US State Department for a comment.
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Despite the ongoing challenges in the Middle East, the world continues to closely monitor situations involving American citizens like Kamalmaz who are detained overseas. Efforts to secure their release and ensure justice are being pursued by advocacy groups and international organizations worldwide.
Source: edition.cnn.com
