Ahmadreza Jalali, Dual National Prisoner at Risk of Execution in Evin, Goes on Hunger Strike

Ahmadreza Jalali, a dual Iranian-Swedish national facing execution, announced that he will go on a hunger strike in protest of his name being excluded from the recent exchange of Swedish prisoners in Iran for Hamid Nouri. Vida Mehran-Nia, Ahmadreza Jalali's wife, shared this news on her social media account on 'X', stating that he will begin his hunger strike on Wednesday, July 6. She added that Ahmadreza Jalali has endured nearly three thousand days of 'unimaginable torment' in the 'horrific Evin prison,' and despite knowing that a hunger strike could be fatal due to his fragile health, he feels he has no other option. In a letter sent to Voice of America, Vida Mehran-Nia mentioned that her husband is resorting to a hunger strike after the Swedish government abandoned him and removed his name from the recent exchange that led to the release of other Swedish nationals. She noted that as a physician, he understands the risks of a hunger strike but feels he has no alternative. According to Vida Mehran-Nia, the United Nations and human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have confirmed Ahmadreza Jalali's innocence, stating that he has been arbitrarily detained and used as a pawn in the ruthless hostage diplomacy of the Islamic Republic, and he should be unconditionally released. Vida Mehran-Nia emphasized: 'This doctor, a beloved husband and father of two children, wants to return to his family, serve the community again as a committed physician, and be treated with dignity as a human being.' She concluded by calling for global assistance for his release and an end to this 'endless barbarity.' Amnesty International's campaign for Ahmadreza Jalali's release began after he was arrested in the spring of 2016 while visiting Tehran for a lecture at the University of Tehran. Iranian judicial authorities have sentenced Ahmadreza Jalali to death on charges of 'espionage.' He has previously gone on hunger strike in protest against the court's ruling and the imminent execution. Recently, Ahmadreza Jalali criticized Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson in an audio message for being left behind during the prisoner exchange in Iran. He pointed out the release of Johan Flodros, a Swedish citizen, and Saeed Azizi, a dual Iranian-Swedish national, who were exchanged for Hamid Nouri, emphasizing: 'I believe my remaining in Iran is a clear discrimination.' Hamid Nouri, a former deputy warden of Gohardasht prison, was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Swedish Supreme Court for his involvement in the execution of thousands of political prisoners in the 1980s, which is the highest penalty under Swedish law. The release of Hamid Nouri and his return to Iran sparked a wave of public outrage among Iranians and widespread reactions from political and human rights figures. A former hostage of the Islamic Republic protested to the Swedish government, stating that the neglect of Ahmadreza Jalali in the exchange for Hamid Nouri was a 'deep deception.' Amnesty International described the 'stunning' release of Hamid Nouri as a 'shocking' blow to the survivors and relatives of the victims of the 1988 massacre. Ahmadreza Jalali told the Swedish Prime Minister after the exchange of Hamid Nouri: 'You left me facing the risk of execution in Evin.' A Swedish diplomat who was exchanged with Hamid Nouri proposed to his boyfriend after being released. Prince Reza Pahlavi stated that the exchange of Hamid Nouri was a 'diabolical trick' to encourage participation in the 'election circus.' A Swedish diplomat, after being freed from the Islamic Republic's prison, expressed: 'I am in the seventh heaven.'