Couple claims Etsy shut down their account

COBB COUNTY, Ga. — A local couple says they were banned from a popular website because of their Iranian heritage.

Jason Asgari told Channel 2’s Liz Artz that he was born and raised in Marietta, Georgia. Both of his parents are Iranian and so is his wife of two years, Fattaneh Asgari.

Asgari told Artz that his wife makes purses and hand-stitched fabric items in their Marietta home and sells her merchandise on Etsy.

"It took her awhile to get to a high enough rating for people to find her on Etsy for this to happen." Asgari said.

Fattaneh was selling under "Blue Persian Design," but her online business was shut down last week.

"The only people she’s been selling to (are those in) America. (Her) materials come from America." Asgari told Artz.

Asgari said Etsy banned his wife after her sister, visiting family in Iran, tried to log on to her account and help translate several words.

"As soon as she signed in, all of a sudden her account got closed." Asgari said.

Asgari contacted the website immediately.

"No, we are living in America, trying to go with the OFAC law." Asgari said. "We are in America. We haven't done anything wrong."

Asgari said he just wants his wife's account to be reactivated and better communication between the company and its users.

"Not just for me but for anyone else who has experienced something like this." Asgari said.

Artz emailed Etsy for a response, but did not hear back.

Cox Media Group