Princeton University: Appeal of American Prisoner in Iran Rejected

Princeton University in the U.S. announced on Thursday, August 17, that the appeal of one of its students who is imprisoned in Iran has been rejected by the judiciary of the Islamic Republic. Reuters reported that the university's statement and the words of Xiaowang's wife describe the charges against this American researcher as 'baseless' and his sentence as 'unjust.' Xiaowang, a Chinese-American researcher at Princeton, was sentenced to ten years in prison in Iran and had previously asked Iranian authorities for his release, stating, 'He has been imprisoned unjustly.' Xiaowang was arrested about a year ago, but news of his arrest was published in late July when the Iranian judiciary spokesman announced his prison sentence for 'illegal entry' into the country and 'sending confidential information abroad.' According to Reuters, Mr. Wang is accused of 'espionage under the guise of research and investigation.' Princeton University and Mr. Wang's family have strongly denied these allegations. Meanwhile, no news has been published from this American prisoner inside the prison. Only in late July did the U.S. State Department spokesman announce that the Swiss embassy, as the U.S. interests protector in Iran, had successfully met with this prisoner 'four times,' who was initially identified as 'Chinese-American.' Meanwhile, the news of Mr. Wang's appeal rejection has not yet been published in any media inside Iran, and according to Reuters, the Iranian representative office at the United Nations has also not commented on this matter. Princeton University stated in its announcement: 'Iranian officials have rejected Xiaowang's appeal regarding his ten-year prison sentence, a sentence for espionage that he did not commit.' The university further expressed regret over Mr. Wang's 'unjust' imprisonment. Following the news of Xiaowang's imprisonment, Donald Trump, the President of the United States, warned Iran that if it does not release American citizens imprisoned in Iran, it will face serious and new consequences. Reports indicate that in addition to Xiaowang, three other Iranian-American citizens are also imprisoned in Iran: Siamak Namazi, Baquer Namazi, and Karan Vafadari. Afrin Nissari, the wife of Karan Vafadari, and Nizar Zaka, both of whom have U.S. residency, are also imprisoned in Iran. Baquer Namazi, 81, a former UNICEF official, was arrested in Iran in February 2016. Siamak Namazi, Baquer Namazi's 46-year-old son, was arrested four months earlier during his trip to Iran.