Exclusive; Mohammad Saadati, expelled professor from Birjand University: I was expelled for criticizing the suppression of protesters

Mohammad Saadati, an expelled professor from Birjand University, stated in an exclusive interview with VOA that his expulsion was due to his Twitter criticisms against the suppression of protesters, executions, and the violation of the rights of religious minorities. He mentioned that these criticisms led to "case fabrications" by the Ministry of Intelligence in South Khorasan and his summons to court twice. He also explained that the Ministry of Intelligence and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps facilitated his disqualification and expulsion from the university by sending written letters in Ordibehesht 1402 (April-May 2023). This expelled professor, who recently left Iran for security reasons, highlighted the "grudge" of the Islamic Republic against Sunni citizens, stating that agents of the regime cited his Sunni identity and support for Molavi Abdulhamid, the Sunni Imam of Zahedan, as reasons for his expulsion. Following the intensification of the project to "Islamize" and "purify" universities after the "Women, Life, Freedom" protests, dozens of critical professors across Iran have been suspended or expelled; a process many have termed the "second cultural revolution." According to Mohammad Saadati, following the nationwide protests of 1401 (2022), 13 faculty members of Birjand University faced security cases, which ultimately led to his expulsion and the forced retirement of another professor. This expelled faculty member emphasized that disciplinary cases have also been formed against over 80 protesting students. In the wake of last year's nationwide protests, which began with the central slogan "Women, Life, Freedom," many students joined the protesters, and several university professors supported them. In response, the Islamic Republic government has suppressed protesters and students, expelling many professors who do not align with its policies and those who support the protests. In part of his interview with VOA, Mohammad Saadati described the coming to power of Ebrahim Raisi's government as leading to increased security in universities. Previously, the Jam-e Jam newspaper, the press organ of the Islamic Republic's broadcasting organization, referred to universities as "a breeding ground for opposition" and urged Ebrahim Raisi's government to expel "deviant" professors more decisively. On 19 Shahrivar, members of seven scientific associations issued a statement warning about the "widespread expulsion of professors and security actions against students," stating that the gradual and currently accelerating "dissolution" of the scientific institution exacerbates the current disastrous inefficiency of the governing system.