Interview: Family of wrongfully imprisoned Swedish-Iranian scholar Dr. Ahmadreza Djalali discuss his life as a father and husband
Posted April 23, 2025
Dr. Ahmadreza Djalali is a scholar of disaster medicine who was arrested in Iran, where he had traveled to participate in a series of workshops hosted by universities in Tehran and Shiraz, in 2016. He was wrongfully convicted on charges of “acting against national security” despite a lack of evidence for these allegations, and sentenced to death.
Dr. Djalali, an Iranian-born resident of Sweden, conducted research in Sweden and taught at universities in Italy and Belgium. He is a member of the international scientific and academic community.
Scholars at Risk, who has been advocating for his release for years, conducted a series of interviews with Dr. Djalali’s wife, Vida, and his daughter. The interviews covered different stages of Dr. Djalali’s life as a husband and father, from 2000 to the present, across Sweden and Iran. These are excerpts from those conversations, which have been edited for length and clarity.
On starting a family in Iran, April 2000 – August 2008:
Vida: We met each other through the university and some mutual friends. Then we went to a book exhibition together, which was also in Tehran. At that time, I was working in Tehran while he was just starting his new job as a general medicine doctor. We both lived in Tehran at the time and after some time, we got married in 2000. It wasn’t a big wedding, but it was nice. I remember it was a rainy day on October 28th.
Daughter: I remember growing up in Iran and experiencing a lot of nightmares as a child. My bedroom was next to my parents, and whenever I woke up scared, my Dad would come and sleep on the floor next to me to make me feel safe. These are some of my first memories from my childhood in Iran. Later, we moved from Tehran to Stockholm when I was about six years old, right before I turned seven, because my Dad started his PhD.
On life in Stockholm, October 2015 – April 2016:
Daughter: The move to Stockholm was a new experience. I don’t remember feeling bad about it because it felt natural to finally be together as a family again after my Dad had been traveling back and forth for a year. There were many changes, like the weather and school system, but I adapted quickly. I got used to the language and the new environment.
A typical day in our family life involved waking up early to have breakfast together, especially my Dad and me. We would often take the same bus in Sweden or walk to school together when we lived in Italy. When I returned from school, my Mom would usually prepare dinner, and we would eat together as a family. I would then do my homework. I was quite independent and didn’t need help often, so I would study by myself with my Dad helping me when needed. He always encouraged me to focus on my studies, giving me advice on how to improve academically. He had a great influence on my values, always reminding me of the importance of helping others, living ethically, and being honest.
“He had a great influence on my values, always reminding me of the importance of helping others, living ethically,
and being honest.”
Vida: We had a normal life, eating dinner together, planning for the future, etc. We really had such a normal life.
Daughter: We would chat about school over breakfast, he wanted me to do my best in school. Even now when we chat on the phone he is always giving me tips on how to study or asks what I have going on in school.
We loved to travel, especially when we first moved from Iran, we traveled to the neighboring European countries. He loved to take pictures and videos with his professional camera. We would look at the pictures together after our travels. We loved to go for walks around new areas of Stockholm. I would ride my bike while my parents walked with me.
Vida: He loved museums also. Every new city he would want to go to the museum in that city.
Daughter: Even still, he recommends museums for me to visit or opera houses when I travel to new cities! He always encourages me to try new things!
Vida: He loved trying new restaurants and new food too, from different cultures and cuisines.
Daughter: He was always trying to learn more about the history of the places and is always teaching me new things. He loved to read books and tell me fun facts about them. We also used to play chess together when I was younger, and I remember us playing frequently. I have since lost my skills!
On Dr Djalali’s humanitarian values and influence:
Daughter: My dad always taught me to think about the humanitarian perspective and to help others. He was very honest and polite and would always be helping people. Throughout his career, my Dad did a lot of humanitarian work, especially in the field of disaster medicine, which became his focus after working as a general doctor. He volunteered at hospitals during his education and worked on improving hospital systems in Iran, particularly in response to disasters like earthquakes.
“My dad always taught me to think about the humanitarian perspective and to help others.”
Vida: I recognized these qualities in him when we first met, he was very open-minded and always willing to help others.
Daughter: He is always encouraging me to learn as much as I possibly can while in medical school so I can help as many people as possible. He has definitely influenced me in that regard.
My Dad’s work allowed him to connect with people from different backgrounds, as disasters happen worldwide. He remained mentally strong and focused on his goals, which I greatly admire about him. Even while he is in prison, he often tells us that what keeps him going is thinking of our family and the hope of reuniting one day.
Vida: As for his relationship with politics, like many Iranians, he was aware of and followed political developments.
Daughter: He was not politically against Iran in any way and never really challenged the regime. That’s why we were so shocked and thought that his arrest was a mistake. He was more focused on his medical career and humanitarian efforts rather than being directly involved in politics. Despite the challenges, his dedication to helping others remained central to his life and values.
On communication with Dr Djalali in prison:
Daughter: Now he can call from the public ward a couple of times a week. It’s more regular now, which is nice, but there have been periods when we didn’t speak for months. Now, we usually talk every day, in the mornings and evenings. My little brother talks to him too. He mostly talks to family.
“Now, he rarely sees anyone, and it’s hard for him because seeing his family reminds him of being behind bars.”
It’s difficult for him to see his family in Iran. His mother used to visit, but she passed away. Now, he rarely sees anyone, and it’s hard for him because seeing his family reminds him of being behind bars. He’s had a long career and fought so hard, and now he’s stuck there.
On the impacts of Dr. Djalali’s arrest:
Daughter: I definitely saw the change in Mom. Every time we faced new threats, in the beginning, it was overwhelming, and I’d break down. But over time, I became more and more impressed by my Mom. Each time, she grows stronger, and it amazes me how much strength she has. I’ve noticed it more and more over the years.
Vida: A lot has changed for me. Eight years ago, it was difficult for me in the media and to have meetings with the Prime Minister. But over the years, I’ve gathered a lot of information and developed a different perspective. I was just a normal person living a normal life, not involved in politics, but now I feel I have to use all my capacity to find solutions. I’ve changed a lot in those eight years. Sometimes I feel like I don’t have enough capacity, but I have to push through for my family and kids. They motivate me, and when I see them, it’s like I must do everything I can to support them.
“I was just a normal person living a normal life, not involved in politics, but now I feel I have to use all my capacity
to find solutions.”
Daughter: I’d love to show him the letters people have sent us. We have boxes of them, and we’ve saved each one. Unfortunately, he doesn’t get to read them in prison. We’ve tried sending pictures and letters, but he doesn’t get everything. Some things, like pictures, are not allowed. But we keep the letters that are sent to us. People from all around the world — Belgium and the U.S. — write to us, and it’s heartwarming to know people are thinking of us. Also, It would be amazing to spend time together, have meals, and just catch up. My little brother would probably talk nonstop! He’s missed so much in the past eight years — new technology and changes in the city. I think he’ll just want to soak everything in.
Vida: Yes, after eight years, it’ll take some time for them to adapt to each other, especially for my son. He was so young when his father was taken, and now he’s a teenager. They need to get to know each other again.
Daughter: He’s incredibly caring. Even in prison, despite his poor health, he’s been taking care of others. There was one prisoner who was sick, and my Dad would cook for him and help with his medication. He’s always been selfless, putting others first, even in such difficult circumstances. That’s something I’ve admired about him since I was a child. It really shows that despite everything, he still has those core values and characteristics.
“People from all around the world — Belgium and the U.S. — write to us, and it’s heartwarming to know people are
thinking of us.”
Join Scholars at Risk in seeking Dr. Djalali’s immediate release. Share his story with your networks and colleagues. Send a letter to authorities. Advocate for him on your campus by starting a Student Advocacy Seminar.