An Iranian-American ex-Marine convicted of spying on his ancestral homeland and facing a death sentence would n't have been involved in espionage , a onetime colleague has said . Iranian state television aired what it called a `` confession '' by 28-year-old Amir Hekmati last month . His family said he was arrested in August while visiting his grandmother and other relatives in Iran and that his statement had to have been coerced . In December , Sherri Condon , a software engineer who worked with Hekmati in 2008 and 2009 on an effort to develop a two-way , hand-held electronic translator for U.S. troops , said , `` it just does n't sound like Amir to me . '' Condon was the lead author of a 2008 paper describing the research . She thanks Hekmati in the acknowledgments . She described him as `` an entrepreneurial guy '' who sent colleagues a holiday card with a quote from Benjamin Franklin : `` Be always at war with your vices , at peace with your neighbors , and let each new year find you a better man . '' `` I really like him , '' said Condon , who identified Hekmati from the images released by Iranian state television . `` He was n't too nose-to-the-grindstone , but he really worked and put out good effort on behalf of these programs we worked with . '' The work , funded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency , was aimed at improving communications between U.S. troops and local populations -- a problem with which Hekmati had grappled during service with the Marines in Iraq . He appeared in a video that touted the `` souped-up iPods , '' describing how American troops sometimes lost hours waiting for a translator to help them pose simple questions . `` He knew enough to be very helpful for us , and he was very helpful to us in terms of understanding the context in which the devices might be used , '' Condon said . `` He had the military experience . '' Hekmati was convicted of `` working for an enemy country ... for membership in the CIA and also for his efforts to accuse Iran of involvement in terrorism , '' Iran 's semi-official Fars news agency reported Monday . He was sentenced to death . His family , along with the United States , has denied the accusations against him . `` We are deeply concerned that Amir is not receiving a fair trial and has not been afforded due process , '' said a family statement released last week . `` We have struggled to provide Amir with an attorney in Iran . We have sought to hire at least 10 different attorneys in Tehran to no avail . '' The family said their son was being represented by a government-appointment lawyer . `` Under any standard , this is not acceptable due process of law , '' the statement said . `` We will not stop hoping and praying for justice , for peaceful dialogue with Iran , and for Amir 's safe return home . '' The Arizona-born , Michigan-raised Hekmati joined the Marines in August 2001 , after high school . His four-year hitch included an assignment with the Defense Language Institute in Monterey , California , and a six-month deployment in Iraq in 2004 , according to U.S. military records . In 2006 , after leaving the service , he started his own linguistics company and began offering his services as an English-to-Arabic translator , according to Michigan incorporation records . He contracted his services to the military as well as civilian businesses , offering training in cultural competency and working with troops at military bases to promote understanding of and positive communication with people of other cultures , his family said . In 2010 , he spent five months working as a research manager for defense contractor BAE , company spokesman Brian Roehrkasse told CNN . And Condon said Hekmati recently worked for a company that produced language-training material for the U.S. military . The United States and Iran have no direct diplomatic relations , but Hekmati 's family has said he made the trip after obtaining permission from the Iranian Interests Section of the Pakistani Embassy in Washington . The interests section did not respond to CNN requests for comment . News of Hekmati 's conviction is the latest turn in a series of allegations of espionage and plotting between Washington and Tehran , following the capture of a U.S. surveillance drone by Iran . Iran claims to have arrested a dozen CIA spies and there have been U.S. allegations that Iran sought to kill Saudi Arabia 's ambassador to the United States . Hekmati 's family said that after his August 29 arrest , Iranian officials told them to remain silent `` with the promise of an eventual release , '' but they went public after Iranian television aired the accusations and Hekmati 's statement . U.S. State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said last month Hekmati is being falsely accused , but had no further comment . Condon said she fears Hekmati 's military history drew him unwelcome attention in Iran . `` I ca n't begin to imagine what must have been in their minds , but I agree he would n't have been involved in any spying , '' she said . She said she has worked with other people who have families in Iran , `` and it 's always scary when they go to visit . '' `` They 're always worried , '' she said . `` You feel so helpless , because it seems like there 's nothing you can do . ''
Iranian-American media report Hekmati is sentenced to death . His family and a former colleague deny he would have been involved in espionage . Amir Hekmati was arrested in Monday while visiting relatives in California .