The furlough of Iranian-American citizen Siamak Namazi, who is held hostage in Iran over espionage charges, has been extended for another three days. 

Babak Namazi, Siamak's brother, made the announcement in a statement on Saturday, expressing hope that his brother's 10-day leave will lead to his permanent release from prison. 

Namazi has spent seven years in jail on trumped-up espionage charges. His father, who went to Iran to free him in 2016, was also arrested and accused of espionage. 

Last week, Bagher (Baquer) Namazi, Siamak’s father, finally left Iran after 6.5 years of detention, and Siamak was let out of prison for a furlough. The United States that has been demanding freedom for four citizens held Iran said that Namazi’s release was not part of deal.

Tehran has it will receive $7 billion of its frozen funds for a prisoner exchange deal with the United States, but it did not specifically claim that the money is related to the Namazis.

The United States said last week that reports from Iranian sources of a transfer of funds related to the release of Bagher and the furlough for his son are categorically false.

United Nations spokesperson Stephane Dujarric announced about Namazis in a statement on Saturday, October 1, but the Islamic Republic periodically announces that release of its frozen funds is imminent to prop up its currency.