When Science Becomes a Crime: Dr. Djalali and the Fight for Academic Freedom
(Scholars at Risk, 2023): https://www.scholarsatrisk.org/actions/ahmadreza-djalali-iran/
An internationally respected disaster‑medicine specialist drawn into a geopolitical crisis, Dr. Ahmadreza Djalali’s story underscores the vulnerabilities faced by scholars who work across borders.
Born on the 15th of September 1971 in Sarab, Iran Dr. Djalali practiced and researched in the field of disaster medicine. He was later arrested in Iran and sentenced to death under the notion that he was an Israeli spy. He began his career in Tehran as a doctor, thereafter obtained a Master in Disaster Medicine (EMDM) from Università del Piemonte Orientale in Italy. He later pursued a PhD at Karolinska Institute in Sweden. His work focused primarily in the search of a solution for making not only hospitals, but also entire regions disaster-proof zones. Over the 2000s and early 2010s he built a reputation as a researcher, lecturer and trainer in mass‑casualty triage, emergency preparedness and disaster response. He held affiliations with institutions in Sweden, Italy, Belgium and elsewhere, publishing in peer‑reviewed journals and leading international training exercises. He lived and worked in Sweden for several years while maintaining professional ties and periodic visits to Iran for family and academic collaboration.
Alongside this mission, he actively contributed to the betterment of the next generation, delivering lectures on the topic around European universities. His efforts contributed to the founding of the Emergency and Disaster Research Centre in Italy which was largely involved in publishing findings during the COVID-19 pandemic. During the pandemic, scholars like Dr. Djalali were crucial. Yet, he was unable to contribute, silenced by his imprisonment.
Dr. Djalali’s career, coupled with his selfless character, made him indispensable in providing medical and academic support during crises. For example, after the 2003 Bam earthquake in Iran, he directly assisted affected communities with critical medical care.
Although Dr. Djalali is chiefly known for his academic work, some public accounts note expressions of sympathy for Azadi (Persian for “freedom”) during visits to Iran. These reports are mixed and secondary, and his public record remains dominated by scholarship and cross‑border cooperation rather than overt political activism.
Driven by his commitment to improving and expanding the academic world, Dr. Djalali visited Iran in April 2016 to lead university workshops in Tehran and Shiraz, only to be unjustly detained on charges of espionage.
(Foreign Affairs Committee Takes a Stronger Stance Against Iran in The, 2020):
https://english.n-va.be/news/foreign-affairs-committee-takes-a-stronger-stance-against-iran-in-the-djalali-case
Importantly, Dr. Djalali has not only been taken away from the academic world. In Sweden, his wife Vida Mehrannia and their two children, Amitis and Ario await his return. Dr. Djalali’s family have faced significant emotional turmoil as his imprisonment circumstances are growing ever more dire and volatile. Vida has been fighting fearlessly for her husband's immediate release since his imprisonment and despite the support she has received, more awareness and advocacy is needed.
Academic Freedom - The Case of Dr. Djalali
Academic freedom is the principle that scholars should be able to teach, research, publish and express ideas without undue interference, censorship or punitive action by state or other authorities. It enables open inquiry and the free exchange of knowledge; violations commonly take the form of arrests, dismissals, travel bans and other penalties directed at researchers for their work or peaceful expression. Dr. Djalali’s case is a clear breach of academic freedom.
Scholars at Risk (SAR) is an international network that defends threatened academics and promotes academic freedom. SAR documents cases, offers emergency assistance such as relocation and legal support, and advocates on behalf of detained or persecuted scholars. Along with human‑rights organizations and university consortia, SAR works to protect individuals like Dr. Djalali and to spotlight broader patterns of repression affecting academic communities.
Experiences in prison
(Humanists International, 2020): https://humanists.international/2020/11/iran-to-execute-ahmadreza-djalali-imminently/?lang=fr
Branded an Israeli spy, Dr. Djalali spent time in solitary confinement before his trial without the ability to contact his family or his legal team. He then faced the Tehran Revolutionary Court, where he was subjected to a brief, private and baseless trial that would determine his fate. Dr. Djalali was sentenced to death on the charge of ‘corruption on earth’, a deliberately vague accusation frequently used against political prisoners in Iran. The evidence the court used was based on a coerced confession obtained through torturous methods.
After his arrest, there were ten long and terrifying days where Vida and their children had no idea where their husband and father was. They later learned he had been transferred to the notorious Evin prison in Tehran.
The experience of a prisoner in Evin prison is incredibly misaligned with Human Rights guidelines. Dr. Djalali’s experience is no exception. He has been repeatedly denied medical care which has led to suspected leukemia that remains unconfirmed. Despite professional recommendations, Evin prison has denied Dr. Djalali access to a blood and cancer specialist.
In 2019, Dr. Djalali was transferred to an unknown location with the goal of torturing further espionage confessions from him. In 2020, to carry out his death sentence, he was placed into solitary confinement with a strict denial of contact with his lawyers and family members.
His death sentence was subsequently postponed. In 2021, Dr. Djalali was once again placed in solitary confinement, where his health deteriorated further. Two months later, he was transferred back into a multiple-occupancy cell.
In 2022, he was allowed to undergo surgery at a nearby hospital for an acute intestinal adhesion, only to be transferred back to Evin prison the next day, disallowing his ability to recover under adequate medical care.
Between the setting of his execution date for 21 May 2022 and June 2025, reports say his execution was postponed. He was repeatedly transferred between detention locations, including Evin, a military prison, and at least one secret site. He endured multiple periods of solitary confinement and was often denied regular contact with family and lawyers.
His health deteriorated amid repeated delays or denials of specialist medical care, including concerns about suspected leukemia. In 2022 he was briefly taken to hospital for intestinal surgery and returned to prison the next day. Advocates report episodes of coercion, torture and forced confessions during interrogations.
International organisations, universities and rights groups continued public campaigns for his release. Many exact dates, locations and medical or legal records remain fragmentary or unverifiable.
These inhumane conditions and the constant state of limbo represent a profound violation of human rights, inflicting severe mental and physical suffering on Dr. Djalali - a scientist, not a spy.
In an interview with SAR this year, Dr. Djalali’s daughter said “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.”
Vida has not been the only one advocating for Dr. Djalali’s release. Hostage Aid, Amnesty International, Scholars at Risk, the UN, Nobel Laureates and many more individuals and organisations are working actively to raise awareness and secure his release.
It is an incredibly important factor to note, Dr. Djalali was not a controversial figure. He was just trying to do his job and exercise his right to academic freedom.
As academics, we cannot sit still. For the sake of Dr. Djalali, his family and the academic world. Dr. Djalali’s case is a reminder that our academic freedom is not guaranteed. We must act.
There are a number of petitions that you can sign to make a difference:
Activism for Azadi’s Petition to Parliament:
https://www.aph.gov.au/e-petitions/petition/EN8174
Scholars at Risk:
https://www.scholarsatrisk.org/actions/ahmadreza-djalali-iran/
Amnesty International:
https://action.amnesty.org.au/act-now/help-save-swedish-iranian-doctor-from-execution-j
If you would like to find out more about the campaign, please follow our instagram @activism_for_azadi and @monashsar
If you would like to follow the case, please consider following Vida on instagram, @vidamehrannia, the Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs @MariaStenergard and @monashsar