European University Association calls on Iran to release Swedish resident scholar sentenced to death
Posted November 13, 2017
Brussels, Belgium — In a letter dated November 13, 2017, the European University Association (EUA) has called on Iranian authorities to reverse the death sentence against Dr. Ahmadreza Djalali and to ensure his timely release.
Dr. Djalali, an Iranian-born resident of Sweden and teacher of disaster medicine at universities in Italy and Belgium, was convicted of “corruption on earth” and sentenced to death on October 21, 2017. Dr. Djalali was arrested in April 2016 while visiting Iran for a series of academic workshops and has been detained in Iran’s notorious Evin Prison ever since. Disputing all charges against him, including allegations that he had been paid to spy on the Iranian government by Israeli authorities, Dr. Djalali asserts that his ties to the international academic community are the bases for his prosecution.
In addition to EUA’s “grave concern” for Dr. Djalali and his family, the letter expresses concern for “the chilling effect that his prosecution will inevitably have upon Iran’s higher education community.” Many universities in Europe have collaborative ties with universities in Iran that would be affected by such a chill. “Dr. Djalali’s prosecution is particularly troubling,” writes Professor Rolf Tarrach, EUA President, “in light of Iran’s historic role as a center of learning, and the productive relationships international universities have enjoyed with their Iranian counterparts over the years, which we hope will continue and lead to the development of further partnerships.”
With 850 members across 47 countries, EUA is the largest and most comprehensive organization representing universities in Europe. EUA is headquartered in Brussels, Belgium.
