Threat to Execute Iranian-Swedish Researcher Aimed at Neutralizing Hamid Nouri’s Trial
The Iranian government’s publicly announced threat to carry out the death sentence of Dr. Ahmadrez Jalali, an Iranian-Swedish researcher and university professor, by the end of this month (Ordibehesht 1401) is aimed at nullifying the trial of Hamid Nouri, a former judicial official and one of those responsible for the 1988 executions, in Swedish court, who has been accused of crime and murder.
Hadi Ghаemi, director of the Human Rights Campaign in Iran, referring to the Islamic Republic’s behavior as a clear example of extortion and hostage-taking, said: “Such behavior is an intimidating tactic aimed at disrupting the fair trial of an individual accused of widespread human rights violations.”
According to Hadi Ghaemi, “Iranian authorities are accustomed to unpunished violations of rights in their own country, and now by threatening to sacrifice the life of a hostage, they are trying to force an independent court to comply with their demands.”
Ghaemi added: “The Iranian government has for years placed dual-national citizens in a security and judicial stranglehold to use these citizens as human tools for negotiation when necessary, and now by threatening to take the life of one of these imprisoned dual-national citizens, it is seeking to create immunity for one of its officials.”
Hadi Ghaemi said: “The international community must loudly condemn this criminal behavior.”
Dr. Ahmadrez Jalali is a researcher and Swedish university professor of Iranian origin whose expertise is in crisis management and emergency events. Mr. Jalali was arrested by Ministry of Intelligence agents on the fifth of Ordibehesht 1395 after traveling to Iran to participate in a scientific conference and was taken to Evin prison.
Ahmadrez Jalali was forced to endure solitary confinement for months and was denied access to a lawyer. He was forced under severe pressure and torture to make false confessions. Confessions, parts of which were broadcast by Iranian state television.
In a letter he later wrote from prison, Ahmadrez Jalali, noting that he had no access to a lawyer, emphasized that the Ministry of Intelligence of the Islamic Republic of Iran pressured him for espionage and after he refused to cooperate with them, forced him to make false television confessions.
Ahmadrez Jalali was tried on espionage charges in a non-public, confidential court lacking minimum due process principles in Tehran and was sentenced to death.
The United Nations and international human rights groups, as well as more than one hundred Nobel Prize winners, condemned the Islamic Republic’s treatment of Ahmadrez Jalali and called for his release.
Iranian media reported imminent execution of Jalali at final stage of Nouri’s trial
On Wednesday, the 14th of Ordibehesht 1401, Iranian state media reported the imminent execution of Ahmadrez Jalali by the end of the current month. News that was released precisely on the day Hamid Nouri’s trial ended in Sweden. It is predicted that the verdict in Hamid Nouri’s trial will be announced in Tir this year.
According to Hadi Ghaemi, “The announcement of the execution date of Mr. Jalali is clear evidence that he is being used as a tool for the release of Hamid Nouri or to reduce his charges.”
Vida Mehrannia, wife of Ahmadrez Jalali, told the Human Rights Campaign in Iran: “Ahmadrez’s health has deteriorated over the years in Evin prison and he has been severely ill over these six years.”
According to Ms. Mehrannia, “Ahmadrez has lost 25 kilograms of weight. The likelihood of cancer, anemia, gallstone problems, skin disorders, mild leg paralysis, mouth ulcers and tooth loss are the main problems of Mr. Jalali, all of which began after prison and his hunger strike.”
Vida Mehrannia said: “I hope the European Union will not sacrifice my husband.”
Hamid Nouri’s Trial: “This conviction may lead to the trial of more officials of the Islamic Republic”
The trial of Hamid Nouri, who was arrested in Sweden in 1398, began in Mordad 1400.
Based on the indictment presented by the Swedish Attorney General, Hamid Nouri is accused of “intentional murder” of a large number of prisoners who supported left-wing political groups and were considered apostate by government authorities, as well as accused of “war crimes.”
Hamid Nouri’s historic trial, in which dozens testified, for the first time fully examined and exposed one of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s worst crimes.
The current head of Iran’s executive branch, Ebrahim Raisi, is also accused of participating in mass executions of prisoners in the summer of 1988.
Earlier, Iraj Mesdaghi, one of the main plaintiffs in the trial and a writer and researcher, told the Human Rights Campaign in Iran, “We believe that after Nouri’s conviction, prosecution of other perpetrators of the 1988 massacre will begin.”
It should be noted that Ahmadrez Jalali is one of at least 15 dual-national citizens and one foreign national imprisoned in Iran who have been detained in an illegal and non-transparent process and faced severe punishment without following fair legal proceedings.
Source: Human Rights Campaign in Iran
