Saberi Release Highlights Case of Imprisoned Iranian AI...(with espionage in the trial of Saberi Ir...),Health

"The Alaeis are on their final appeal. Health workers and human rights advocates from 129 countries have signed a petition calling for their release. It's time for Iran to stand up and protect freedom of science--and the lives of Iranians--by releasing the Alaeis," said Jonathan Hutson, Chief Communications Officer at Physicians for Human Rights.

In January, Dr. Kamiar Alaei and his brother Dr. Arash Alaei were sentenced to prison terms of three and six years, respectively, in Tehran's notorious Evin Prison. At no point has the Iranian prosecutor made public any shred of evidence to support his contention that the brothers were involved in any international activity other than the fight against global AIDS.

According to sources close to the Alaei brothers' case, the appellate court received their appeals on March 17 and the following day - without a hearing - summarily rejected their appeals and upheld their sentences.

Their attorney, Massoud Shaffiie filed a final appeal on May 7 to Iran's judiciary chief Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahrudi under Article 118 of the Iranian Constitution.

"The case of these world-renowned HIV/AIDS physicians is part of a crackdown on international scientific and academic exchange which undermines efforts of all who seek to treat global AIDS and protect the health of the Iranian people. Their imprisonment robs the world of two talented physicians and has a chilling effect on public health dialogue and diplomacy worldwide," Hutson said. "It appears that the jailing of people on trumped-up charges has more to do with appeasing the conservatives in advance of Iran's national elections in June."

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