Ayşe Gül Altınay, an anthropology professor from Sabancı University was sentenced to 2 years and 1 month in prison on May 21, 2019. She is being charged with "knowingly and willingly aiding a terrorist organization as a non-member" for having signed a petition in 2016 protesting human rights violations in Southeastern Turkey (the Peace Petition). Her sentence is being appealed. To this day, 193 ... Continue Reading>>
A Doctoral Student in Finance at the University of Liege in Belgium Arrested in Iran for Communicating with a Hostile Government
Hamid Babaei, a doctoral student currently serving a 6-year sentence at Evin Prison has deteriorating health conditions. He suffers from panic disorders and has severe gum disease. Mr. Babaei has been sentenced for “acting against national security by communicating with a hostile government.” This was the acceptance of his scholarship. CCS has written the Ayatollah requesting that he review ... Continue Reading>>
Turkey Requests Extradition of Manager and Teacher at Demirel College Who Has Lived in Georgia Since 2002
Turkey has requested Georgia to extradite Mustafa Cabuk alleging that he faces “terrorism” charges due to his alleged involvement with the Gulen movement. Georgia has denied refugee status to Cabuk and his family. CCS has written the Prime Minister of Georgia requesting a review and reconsideration for the Cabuk family as their well-being will most likely be in jeopardy if sent to ... Continue Reading>>
Seyoum Teshome, Ethiopian University Lecturer Detained
Seyoum Teshome, University Lecturer in Ethiopian, detained. Reason unknown, but it is suspected that he had posted anti-government information on his blog and on Facebook. CCS encourages his immediate release. July 5, 2017 Hailemariam Dessalegn Prime Minister FDRE Prime Minister Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Fax: +251 11 122 6292 Your Excellency: The Committee of Concerned ... Continue Reading>>
Dr. Merrera Gudina, Ethiopia, Hearing Scheduled for July 7, 2017
Dr. Merera Gudina, former professor of political science at Addis Ababa University and chair of the Oromo Federalist Congress will return to court for a verdict ruling on charges related to his peaceful exercise of his right to freedom of expression and association on July 7, 2017. July 5, 2017 Hailemariam Dessalegn FDRE Prime Minister Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Fax: +251 11 122 ... Continue Reading>>
Law Student, Jatupat Boonpattararaksa at Khon Kaen University, Detained Five Months for Facebook Post
Jatupat (“Pai”) Boonpattararaksa, law school student at Khon Kaen University has been detained since December (and can receive up to a 15 year sentence) for a Facebook post that was insulting to the monarch. Pai has been denied bail because the post was not removed. Pai has been continually subjected to internal searches and there is concern that he is at risk of torture or other ... Continue Reading>>
Ahmed Amin Ghazali Amin, University Student in Egypt, Held in Solitary Awaiting Appeal for Death Sentence for Membership in Muslim Brotherhood
Ahmed Amin Ghazali Amin, a student at Menoufia University, has been held for over a year in solitary confinement as he awaits the results of his appeal of a death sentence. Amin was tried by a military court in Egypt, convicted of membership in the Muslim Brotherhood, which is banned in Egypt, as well as possession of weapons and classified information. UN Standard Minimum Rules for the ... Continue Reading>>
Professor Threatened in Her Home for Involvement Documenting Rape by Security Forces
CCS has written the Prime Minister of India requesting his assistance in assuring safety for Dr. Bela Bhatia, a well-known academic, researcher and writer with a Ph.D. from Cambridge. Dr. Bhatia has been studying the Naxalite movement in India and in recent years has been involved in a fact-finding effort to document gang rapes and sexual assaults on Adivasi women by security forces. On January ... Continue Reading>>
59 Year-Old Electrical Engineer Confined in Jail for Four Years – Hearings Re-Scheduled 20 Times, Finally Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison
Dr. Khalil al-Halwachi, a Bahraini electrical engineer has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for nonviolent expressive and associative activity. Professor al-Halwachi was arrested in September 2014 because of his association with a political group. However, his charges did not relate to the group or his involvement with them. He was charged with “possession of a firearm,” which was found ... Continue Reading>>