Xiyue Wang, graduate student at Princeton University, was arrested in Iran, charged with spying and sentenced to 10 years in prison for conducting research on ancient documents in conjunction to his Ph.D. thesis. CCS is requesting that the Chinese government intervene and request the Chinese authorities to dismiss charges against Wang and release him immediately. The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention has called for his release; the European University Association, representing over 800 universities world-wide has called for his release. CCS is hoping that the Chinese government will advocate for their native son and return him to his wife, his 5-year-old son and his studies.
His Excellency Xi Jinping
President
The State Council General Office
2 Fuyoujie
Xichengqu, Beijingshi 100017
People’s Republic of China
Your Excellency:
The Committee of Concerned Scientists is an independent organization of scientists, physicians, engineers and scholars devoted to the protection and advancement of human rights and scientific freedom for colleagues all over the world.
We write to seek your intervention on behalf of Xiyue Wang, a Chinese-born United States citizen and graduate student at Princeton University in the United States. We hope that the government of China will work to save one of its most talented sons from unjustly languishing in an Iranian prison.
Xiyue Wang was falsely jailed in Iran in 2016, was convicted of spying and sentenced to 10 years in prison. He was in Iran simply to conduct research on ancient documents for his Ph.D. dissertation.
The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention has stated flatly that Iran had “no legal basis for the arrest and detention” of Xiyue, that Xiyue suffered “multiple violations” of his right to a fair trial, and that he should be released “immediately.”
The European University Association, representing over 800 universities and national university associations in 48 European countries, has called Xiyue’s conviction and imprisonment as an “alarming violation of academic freedom, due process and fair trial, which are fundamental and internationally-recognized rights and standards.”
We agree with the European University Association, and we urge you to use your influence to convince the government of Iran to release Xiyue Wang and allow him to continue his studies. Xiyue must be allowed to return to his wife and five-year-old son, Shaofan, who has lived half his life without his father.
Thank you for your attention to this most important matter, and we look forward to receiving your response.
Sincerely,
Joel L. Lebowitz, Paul H. Plotz, Walter Reich, Eugene M. Chudnovsky, Alexander Greer
Co-Chairs, Committee of Concerned Scientists
cc:
Ambassador Cui Tiankai
Embassy of the People’s Republic of China
3505 International Place, NW
Washington, DC 20008
Phone: 1 202 495 2266
Fax: 1 202 495 2138
Email: chinaembpress_us@mfa.gov.cn OR chineseembassyspokesperson@gmail.com