Amnesty International Warns of the Danger of Executing Ahmadreza Jalali

On Tuesday, Amnesty International issued a statement warning of the imminent execution of Ahmadreza Jalali, a dual-national doctor imprisoned in Iran. The statement noted that it has been eight years since this Iranian-Swedish citizen was detained and referenced his recent hunger strike in protest against his continued detention following a recent prisoner exchange between the Islamic Republic and Sweden. According to the statement, Evin prison officials have prevented this dual-national doctor from timely access to necessary healthcare despite his suffering from cardiac arrhythmia, anemia, and high blood pressure, and his physical condition has deteriorated following his recent hunger strike. Amnesty International further stated that the Islamic Republic must revoke Ahmadreza Jalali's death sentence, which was issued after an unfair trial, and release him immediately. The human rights organization added that necessary medical care must be provided to Mr. Jalali, and he should be protected from further torture and mistreatment. Amnesty International also called for a prompt, independent, effective, and impartial investigation into those responsible for illegal actions against Ahmadreza Jalali and their prosecution. Ahmadreza Jalali, an Iranian-Swedish doctor, traveled to Tehran in spring 2016 at the invitation of the University of Tehran for a lecture and was arrested. Iranian judicial authorities sentenced him to death on charges of 'espionage.' Mr. Jalali and his wife have repeatedly denied these accusations. This dual-national prisoner had previously gone on hunger strikes in protest against the court's ruling and the threat of execution. Recently, Ahmadreza Jalali criticized Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson in an audio file 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-national Iranian-Swedish citizen who were exchanged for Hamid Noury, emphasizing, 'I think my remaining in Iran is a clear discrimination.' Hamid Noury, a former deputy prosecutor of Gohardasht prison, was sentenced to life imprisonment, the highest penalty under Swedish law, for involvement in the execution of thousands of political prisoners in the 1980s. Noury's release and return to Iran sparked a wave of protests and public outrage among Iranians and widespread reactions from political and human rights figures. Ahmadreza Jalali's wife described her meeting with the Swedish Foreign Minister as 'very disappointing,' stating they did not provide satisfactory answers. Ahmadreza Jalali's hunger strike has entered its fourth day, with reports indicating he has become severely weakened. Siamak Namazi remarked that leaving Ahmadreza Jalali alone in Iran is 'against conscience.' A former hostage of the Islamic Republic protested to the Swedish government, stating that neglecting Ahmadreza Jalali during Hamid Noury's exchange was a 'deep deception.'