Marzieh Hashemi (Persian: مرضیه هاشمی; born as Melanie Franklin) is an American-born Iranian journalist and television presenter.

I wasn't convinced with answers when I asked from different people, when this issue happened to be in university, I started to study not only about Islam but about different religions, and simultaneously comparing them in theory and ideology, from Marx [sic] Weber up to now, and thanks God, after I became Muslim.

[7] Hashemi was arrested at the St. Louis Lambert International Airport in Missouri by federal agents and was being held in custody in Washington DC.

[3][12] The reason for her arrest was initially unknown, but according to subsequent court documents she was being held as a material witness for a federal investigation but "has not been accused of any crime".

[3] According to Reuters, a United States government source told them that a grand jury was examining whether Press TV failed to register as a foreign agent which would be required if it is a propaganda outlet.

Press TV said Hashemi was denied halal food, offered only pork to eat, and she had only eaten a packet of crackers since her detainment.