Swedish Foreign Ministry Calls for Immediate Release of Ahmadreza Jalali

On Friday, March 8, the Swedish Foreign Ministry announced the summoning of the Iranian ambassador in Stockholm and stated that it demands the immediate release of Ahmadreza Jalali for humanitarian reasons to reunite with his family. The Swedish Foreign Ministry noted that the urgent summoning of the Iranian ambassador followed information regarding the deteriorating health condition of this condemned Swedish-Iranian researcher. According to the statement, Swedish officials called for medical care for Mr. Jalali, which he urgently needs, and reiterated their objection to the death penalty imposed on him. The Swedish newspaper 'Herald' reported, citing an interview with Vida Mehranian, Ahmadreza Jalali's wife, that the lawyer of this dual-national prisoner observed that his client's blood pressure and pulse were very low after meeting him. 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 on May 25 of that year, he was arrested by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and transferred to Evin Prison. In February of the same year, he was sentenced to death for espionage in a trial held without a defense attorney in Branch 15 of the Islamic Revolutionary Court. This occurred despite the fact that this dual-national prisoner and his wife, Vida Mehranian, have repeatedly denied such accusations. In this regard, the Iran Human Rights Campaign noted on January 17 of this year that during the past nine years, Mr. Jalali has endured inhumane conditions, including physical and psychological torture, prolonged solitary confinement, and deprivation of medical care. This condemned dual-national Iranian-Swedish prisoner, on January 15, on his fifty-third birthday, called for intensified efforts from Swedish officials for his release in a message from Evin Prison. According to Swedish media, this dual-national physician criticized the Swedish authorities for their delay in securing his release, stating: 'It seems that what happens to me as a Swedish citizen does not matter to Swedish officials.' Ahmadreza Jalali from prison: Sweden has left me to be executed by the Islamic Republic. Iran Human Rights Campaign: The Swedish government must act to save Ahmadreza Jalali's life. Louis Arnaud: The Islamic Republic treats prisoners like 'animals.' Ahmadreza Jalali, sentenced to death: Nine years have passed; my condition is terrible. Shirin Ebadi: The Italian journalist will not be the last hostage of the Islamic Republic.