CCS wrote a letter to Federica Mogherini, the European Union’s High Representative, requesting assistance with obtaining the release of Dr. Mohammed Hosein Rafiee-Fanood, by bringing the matter to the attention of the President of Iran. A representative of her office responded to the letter. ... Continue Reading>>
Release Omid Kokabee from Prison
Omid Kokabee, a graduate student at University of Texas, Austin who has been in prison in Iran for over five years, has been diagnosed with kidney cancer. Surgery was performed on Tuesday, April 19th. CCS wrote Mohammad Jafar Montazeri, Attorney General of Iran, requesting Omid’s release so that he may recuperate at his family home upon discharge from the hospital. April 20, 2016 To: Mohammad ... Continue Reading>>
Omid Kokabee Diagnosed with Kidney Cancer
Medical tests performed on Omid Kokabee have revealed, that after years of seeking medical care that was not responded to, he has been diagnosed with kidney cancer. Kokabee began complaining of pain in 2011 but was ignored. CCS has written Iranian authorities on several occasions requesting that his medical concerns be addressed and that he receive proper care. On April 16, 2016, it was ... Continue Reading>>
Letters to the EU and Iran in Support of Dr. Rafiee-Fanood
CCS has written both the President of Iran and the High Representative of the European Union on behalf of Dr. Mohammad Hossein Rafiee-Fanood, a retired professor of chemistry who has been imprisoned in Iran for peacefully expressing his political views. Rafiee was arrested in June 2015 without a court order or justification. Dr. Rafiee’s conviction and six-year prison sentence has been upheld ... Continue Reading>>
2015 Annual Report
During 2015, the Committee of Concerned Scientists continued to advocate on behalf of scientists, academics, engineers and physicians. We wrote in concern for more than 21 individuals or groups of individuals, located in 11 countries. We generally addressed our letters to the heads of state, as well as to the country’s ambassadors, the United States ambassador for the particular jurisdiction, ... Continue Reading>>
After Five Years in Prison, An Appeal for Omid Kokabee’s Release
On the fifth anniversary of Omid Kokabee's imprisonment in Iran, CCS appeals to President Rouhani for his unconditional release. Kokabee, a Iranian doctoral student in physics at the University of Texas — Austin, was arrested in 2011 while visiting his family in Iran. On August 20, 2015, Omid Kokabee turned 33, it was his fifth birthday in prison. Two months later he developed anemia, abdominal ... Continue Reading>>
Appeal for Professor Mohammad Hossein Rafiee Fanood
Professor Rafiee's appeal may be heard next week. His family is hopeful that there will be a positive verdict from the courts. It appears that the support he has received is having a positive response. Related Letter Scholars’ Open Letter to the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran More than 350 scholars have signed a letter urging President Ruhani to release Dr. Rafiee. January 27, ... Continue Reading>>
Physicist and Human Rights Activist Narges Mohammadi Arrested Again in Iran
Narges Mohammadi, a physicist, engineer and human rights advocate has again been arrested for allegedly meeting with the European Union's Foreign Policy Chief while the EU official was visiting Iran. CCS is requesting that Ruhani examine the case and release Narges, particularly due to her life-threatening health conditions. October 28, 2015 Hasan Fereidun Ruhani President, The Islamic ... Continue Reading>>
Omid Kokabee’s Mother Pleads with Ayatollah for his Release
Omid Kokabee's mother wrote a letter to the Ayatollah pleading for the release of her son after serving almost five years in prison without a furlough, or a pardon. Despite the ruling of the Supreme Court of the land in his favor, he remains in Evin Prison with no indication of a release. He is being denied books and the time to read them, his health is failing and from all reports it appears he ... Continue Reading>>
Iran Increases Presssure on Omid Kokabee
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 ... Continue Reading>>