Nasser bin Ghaith, an Economist in the United Arab Emirates, was arrested for committing hostile acts against a foreign state (Egypt) and for instigating against the UAE. These acts were criticizing these governments online. He was also charged with associating with a banned political party in the UAE (as an academic he gave a speech as requested by a member of that political party). CCS has ... Continue Reading>>
Our Work
Communications Scholar from Istanbul University Jailed As Participant in Turkish Coup
Vedat Demir, a professor from Istanbul University, was arrested along with 30 other academics and charged with membershipo in FETO/PDY, a charge he has strongly denied. Despite the fact that Demir publicly denounced the coup, he remains accused of such involvement. CCS has written the Minister of National Education of Turkey requesting an investigation of this case. October 30, 2016 Mr. Nabi ... Continue Reading>>
Lashes to Be Carried Out for Saudi Arabian Blogger
Raif Badawi, a Saudi blogger who was charged with insulting Islam was sentenced to 10 years in prison and public flogging. He was hurt so badly during the first series of beatings that following ones were postponed. Recently, his family was informed that they would begin again, but not in public. CCS has requested that the conviction be overturned as he was only exercising his right of free speech ... Continue Reading>>
Bahraini Instructor and Electrical Engineer Jailed for Two Years Has New Trial Date
Khalil al-Halwachi, was arrested in September 2014. He confessed, allegedly under duress, to owning a rifle for terrorist purposes. He and his family deny his ownership of any rifle or involvement in terrorist activities. His hearing has been rescheduled 19 times over the past two years. It was last scheduled for October 20th at which time it was again rescheduled, this time for October ... Continue Reading>>
New Court Date for Turkish Writers and Head of the Department of Forensic Medicine at Istanbul University
Dr. Sebnem Korur Fincanci, Professor and head of the Department of Forensic Medicine at Istanbul University, along with two prominent journalists, Erol Onderoglu and Ahmet Nesin, will go to trial on November 8. They have been charged with “terror propaganda.” These charges preceded the attempted coup in Turkey and these individuals had nothing to do with that event. CCS has advocated for these ... Continue Reading>>
Update on Serkan Golge, NASA Scientist Arrested Following Attempted Coup in Turkey
CCS has been informed that Serkan Golge is being held in Iskenderun Prison (the largest town in Hatay Province). He does not have access to an attorney. The US Consulate in Adana has been notified. ... Continue Reading>>
Ilham Tohti, Peaceful Advocate for Uighur Community, Wins Martin Ennals Award; also a Finalist for Sakharov Prize
Ilham Tohti, a peaceful advocate of China’s Uighur community, currently serving a life sentence in a Chinese prison, was awarded the Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders by a group of human rights organizations; Tohti was also a finalist for the prestigious Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. The Sakharov prize is awarded annually by the European Parliament to honor individuals and ... Continue Reading>>
Committee of Concerned Scientists and Endangered Scholars Worldwide Advocate for NASA Scientist Arrested in Turkey
NASA Physicist, Serkan Golge, a 36-year old American citizen, was arrested while visiting Turkey and charged as being complicit with the Gulen movement, which Turkey considers a terrorist organization that was complicit with the coup attempt that took place in July. The Committee of Concerned Scientists and Endangered Scholars Worldwide have issued a Joint Appeal asking for Golge’s release and ... Continue Reading>>
CCS Is Very Sad to Announce the Passing of One of Its Most Devoted Members: Vice Chair Joseph Birman
Joseph Birman, Vice-Chair of the Committee of Concerned Scientists and one of its longest serving Board members, CUNY Distinguished Professor of Physics, passed away at age 89 on October 1, 2016, with his wife Joan at his side. I met Joe in 1979 at the unofficial refuseniks’ science seminar in Moscow, held for scientists that where denied exit visas and subsequently lost their academic ... Continue Reading>>
59 Year Old Bahraini Engineer Imprisoned for Two Years With No Trial
Khalil al-Halwachi, a Bahrainian engineer arrested for alleged possession of a rifle and charged as a terrorist has sat in jail for the past two years and his trial has been postponed 18 times. Defendant alleges a forced confession after being tortured. CCS has written the US Ambassador to Bahrain requesting that a representative be present in the courtroom to assure due process for al-Halwachi. ... Continue Reading>>