Iran Human Rights Campaign: Sweden Must Act to Save Ahmadreza Jalali's Life

On Thursday, January 17, the Iran Human Rights Campaign urged the Swedish government to act "immediately and decisively" for the freedom and life of Ahmadreza Jalali, an Iranian-Swedish researcher who has been imprisoned in the Islamic Republic's jails for nearly 9 years and is facing the imminent threat of a brutal execution. This human rights organization emphasized that the unjust detention and sentencing of Ahmadreza Jalali to death is indicative of the inhumane practice of "hostage diplomacy" and a clear violation of the most fundamental principles of international law and human rights standards. According to Hadi Ghaemi, executive director of the Iran Human Rights Campaign, "Jalali's long-term imprisonment and the imminent threat of execution not only represent an injustice to an individual but also serve as a serious warning to academics and specialists worldwide, highlighting the alarming violation and weakening of principles of intellectual freedom and international cooperation." He added, "World governments must hold the Islamic Republic accountable for its continued policy of extortion and hostage-taking through meaningful and effective cooperation, ensuring that the security and freedom of any human being should not be sacrificed or overlooked in the context of diplomatic negotiations or political-economic considerations." The Iran Human Rights Campaign pointed out that Jalali's case, as a Swedish citizen, places a direct responsibility on the Swedish government to protect its citizens. They added, "Saving Ahmadreza Jalali's life requires decisive actions and legitimate diplomatic pressure on the Islamic Republic's officials." This human rights organization called on Swedish officials to prioritize Jalali's case in all interactions with the Islamic Republic, ensuring that his freedom is non-negotiable and pursued without violating human rights and international commitments. The campaign also stated that international bodies should be utilized to garner support for Jalali's freedom, including the United Nations and the European Union, to exert necessary and comprehensive pressure on the Islamic Republic for his release. The statement emphasized that "to counter the unlawful and illegitimate actions of the Islamic Republic, targeted sanctions should be imposed against those involved in human rights violations," including officials and authorities at the detention center and those involved in Jalali's case and trial. The Iran Human Rights Campaign demanded that the Iranian authorities swiftly revoke Jalali's brutal death sentence and release him unconditionally, while the European Union, the United Nations, and governments worldwide should intensify diplomatic pressure on the Islamic Republic and prioritize Ahmadreza Jalali's freedom in their dealings with Iranian officials. According to reports, Ahmadreza Jalali, a physician and university professor, traveled to Iran in the spring of 2016 at the invitation of Tehran and Shiraz universities to participate in a crisis management workshop and was arrested by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on May 25 of that year and transferred to Evin Prison. He was sentenced to death for espionage in a trial held without a defense attorney in Branch 15 of the Islamic Revolutionary Court in February of that year. This occurred despite the fact that this dual-national prisoner and his wife, Vida Mehranian, have repeatedly denied such accusations. The campaign noted that during these past 9 years, Jalali has endured inhumane conditions, including physical and psychological torture, prolonged solitary confinement, and deprivation of medical care. This dual-national Iranian-Swedish prisoner sentenced to death, on Tuesday, January 15, on his fifty-third birthday, called from Evin Prison for intensified efforts by Swedish officials for his freedom. According to Swedish media, this dual-national physician criticized the Swedish authorities for their inaction regarding his release, stating, "It seems that what happens to me as a Swedish citizen does not matter to Swedish officials." According to Hadi Ghaemi, Ahmadreza Jalali's situation "highlights the increasing need for the international community to confront the hostage diplomacy of the Islamic Republic, which targets foreign and dual nationals." The executive director of the Iran Human Rights Campaign emphasized, "Now is the time for serious action to save Dr. Jalali's life and send a clear message to the Islamic Republic's officials that human lives and security should not be used as bargaining chips or tools of extortion." Vida Mehranian: My husband Ahmadreza Jalali has been a hostage of the Islamic Republic for 8 years and 8 months. Ahmadreza Jalali, sentenced to death: 9 years have passed; my situation is terrible. Louis Arnaud: The Islamic Republic treats prisoners like "animals." Shirin Ebadi: The Italian journalist will not be the last hostage of the Islamic Republic. Former hostage protests to the Swedish government: Ignoring Ahmadreza Jalali in the exchange for Hamid Noury was a "deep deception."