As the news from Iran encourages us that the new negotiations may lead to the release of Omid Kokabee, we find ourselves, instead, discouraged as the pressure on Omid seems to be increasing. Most recently, in April he was sent to a solitary ward for further interrogation; recently, he was instructed to stop reading and to put his books away and his nightlight was confiscated. This week, his family did not receive their permission letter which authorizes their visits and magazines they brought for him were not delivered.
September 8, 2015
Dr. Ali Akbar Salehi
Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran
P.O. Box 13145-1349
Tehran, Islamic Republic of IranDear Dr. Salehi:
We are an independent non-government organization of scientists, physicians, engineers and scholars.
At this time we are requesting your assistance in obtaining the release of a bright young scientist in quantum physics, Omid Kokabee. Omid is a gifted Iranian citizen. His history is much like your own. He was one of the best at Sharif University, went to university in the United States and excelled in his field. He came home to visit his parents on a Winter break, as most students do, and was arrested.
Omid has been confined at Evin Prison for the past five years on charges that even Iran’s Supreme Court (on review) deemed unfounded. Following investigations by scientists, students, journalists around the world, there were no findings of illegal behavior. Many science organizations and prominent persons in the scientific community have advocated for Mr. Kokabee. Among those have been 33 Nobel Physics Laureates.
Lately, Kokabee’s situation has become more severe – his health is deteriorating, with no medical attention. He has been denied visits with his legal advocate and this month his family did not receive their monthly permission letter allowing them to visit. Additionally, science journals that his family left for him were not delivered. His reading nightlight (which is legally allowed in the prison) has been confiscated. He has been told to stop reading and inform his family to stop bringing him books.
Earlier this year we corresponded with Dr. Mohammad Javad Larijani, Secretary of the Human Rights Council of the Judiciary, who suggested that Mr. Kokabee could be pardoned and released. We have heard nothing further and it seems that shortly after that communication, Mr. Kokabee was transferred to solitary confinement in the interrogation ward. In May you met with Omid’s family and his attorney and offered your help, but to this day Mr. Kokabee remains in prison.
We look forward to hearing from you. In this day and time, when international relations seem to be improving dramatically around the world for Iran, it would be the perfect time to right this wrong.
Sincerely,
Joel L. Lebowitz, Paul H. Plotz, Walter Reich, Eugene M. Chudnovsky, Alexander GreerCo-Chairs, Committee of Concerned Scientists
Copies to:
The Honorable John Kerry, Secretary of State, United States
The Honorable Ernest Moniz, Secretary of Energy, United States
Gholamhossein Dehghani, Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations
Related articles
- Guards Punish Jailed Scientist for Media Reports (en.iranwire.com)
- Omid Kokabee Archive (concernedscientists.org)
- Omid Kokabee’s Birthday (concernedscientsits.org)