Support for Swedish-Iranian researcher Ahmadreza Djalali

Together with other higher education institutions in Sweden, Jönköping University supports demands for the immediate release of Ahmadreza Djalali, former KI researcher and Swedish citizen, from prison in Iran.

Ahmadreza Djalali was arrested by police in Iran four years ago whilst on a research trip giving lectures within his research area, disaster medicine. He was accused of, among other things, espionage and “enmity against God.” The following year, on 21 October 2017, he was sentenced to death.

The international association Scholars at Risk, where Jönköping University is one of 21 Swedish members, have joined with others to demand that Ahmadreza Djalali is released. SUHF (the Association of Swedish Higher Education Institutions) have also issued a statement demanding the release of Djalali.

“Democratic values and academic freedom are cornerstones of research and, as a Swedish university, it is important to stand up for these values. Through our membership in Scholars at Risk (SAR), Jönköping University supports measures to increase awareness of Djalali’s situation and ensure his release,” says Agneta Marell, President of Jönköping University.

In the statement issued by SUHF they point out that “the arrest, conviction and sentencing suggest a flagrant disregard for international standards of academic freedom, disregard for international standards of academic freedom, due process, fair trial, and humane treatment of prisoners, as guaranteed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Iran is a party.”

More information:

SAR Scholars at Risk press release External link, opens in new window.

Amnesty International press release External link, opens in new window.