Dr. Hamid Ghare-Hassanlou, an Iranian doctor and philanthropist, and his wife Farzaneh Hassanlou, were arrested and sentenced to death and prison, respectively, for being in the wrong place in the wrong time; they witnessed a fatal clash between protestors and Basij militia members on their way home. CCS is concerned that these arrests are intended to make an example of Dr. Hassanlou and prevent any doctors from participating in protests.
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/12/world/middleeast/iran-protests-execution.html
December 19, 2022
Ebrahim Raisi
President of the Islamic Republic of Iran
The Presidency,
Pasteur Street, Pasteur Square
Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
Email: media@rouhani.ir
Dear President Raisi:
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 are writing in regard to Dr. Hamid Ghare Hassanlou and his wife Farzaneh Hassanlou, who were arrested in early December 2022. He was, more recently, sentenced to death. She was sentenced to 25 years in prison without any right to contact the outside world for assistance and representation. They were accused of alleged involvement in a fatal clash between protestors and Basij militia members, when they were in fact on their way back home and not directly involved the protest, but were more likely trying to help care for the injured.
Dr. Hassanlou is a well-regarded radiologist, with 26 years of experience, and philanthropist who has funded schools for underserved children.
Mrs. Hassanlou has also been involved in charitable endeavors.
CCS is concerned that your government is making an example of
Dr. Hassanlou in order to discourage any protests by medical professionals.
CCS is especially concerned that there are signs that Dr. Hassanlou has suffered physical torture while imprisoned. He is, also, known to have chronic heart and lung problems that require immediate medical attention. CCS is also concerned that the evidence against the couple appears to be forced confessions obtained under physical duress.
We write to urge your government to release both Dr. and Mrs. Hassanlou, at least on bail, to ensure their well being and that they obtain proper legal defense. They should, also, both be assured access to both family and to legal counsel. At the very least Mrs. Hassanlou should be released to take care of their underage daughter.
Thank you for your attention to this serious matter. We will be closely following developments in this case.
Sincerely,
Joel L. Lebowitz, Paul H. Plotz, Walter Reich, Eugene M. Chudnovsky, Alexander Greer
Co-Chairs, Committee of Concerned Scientists
CC:
Saeed Iravani
Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran
to the United Nations
622 Third Avenue, 34th Floor
New York, NY 10017
Email: iran@un.int
Antony J. Blinken
Secretary of State
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street, NW
Washington, DC 20520 USA
Phone: (202) 647-4000
Hossein Amir-Abdollahian
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran
Imam Khomeini Street, Imam Khomeini Square,
Tehran, Iran
Email: info@mfa.gov.ir