Herbert Berk, chair of the American Physical Society's Committee on International Freedom of Scientists, writes an editorial in the Washington Post in support of Omid Kokabee. Berk writes soliciting wider support from the general public and government officials for his release. Omid Kokabee is a gifted graduate student in Physics who is languishing in an Iranian prison for refusing to participate ... 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>>
Omid Kokabee’s Birthday
CCS would like to wish a happy 33rd birthday to Omid Kokabee. This is the 5th birthday that he has spent in Evin Prison in Iran. For further information please read this article in Iranwire. Related articles Omid Kokabee Marks Birthday in Jail (en.iranwire.com) Free Omid Facebook page Kokabee Archive (concernedscientists.org) Guards Punish Jailed Scientist for Media Reports ... Continue Reading>>
An Appeal to Iranian Scientists on Behalf of Omid Kokabee
The Committee of Concerned Scientists (CCS) is asking Iranian scientists to apply their influence to free Omid Kokabee who is serving a 10-year prison sentence in Tehran for his refusal to participate in research related to Iran’s nuclear program, see Op-Ed on Omid Kokabee and Iran’s Uranium Enrichment Program. Earlier this year CCS wrote to Dr. Mohammad-Javad Larijani, Secretary of the Human ... Continue Reading>>
Op-Ed on Omid Kokabee and Iran’s Uranium Enrichment Program
Iranian physicist Omid Kokabee has been kept in prison since 2011 for his refusal to work on laser enrichment of uranium. Read the op-ed by Eugene Chudnovsky, Distinguished Professor of Physics, City University of New York (CUNY), and CCS Co-chair in The Washington Examiner: On January 30, 2011, Omid Kokabee, 28, was about to board a flight to the United States at Tehran airport. He was returning ... Continue Reading>>
Sudden Transfer to Interrogation Ward of Omid Kokabee of Grave Concern
CCS is alerting Dr. Mohammad Javad Ardashir Larijani about this worrisome development in Kokabee's imprisonment, contradicting earlier suggestions that a pardon might be forthcoming. ... Continue Reading>>
Iran’s Support for Science Might
Open Way for Kokabee Pardon
After a strong statement by Dr. Mohammad Javad Larijani, a highly placed Iranian official, on the importance of science to the Islamic Republic, CCS requests his assistance in obtaining a pardon for Omid Kokabee. As we had before, we emphasize Kokabee's poor health in prison and the Iranian supreme court's assertion of his innocence. ... Continue Reading>>
2014 Annual Report
During 2014, the Committee of Concerned Scientists continued to advocate on behalf of scientists, academics, engineers and physicians. We wrote in concern for more than 30 individuals or groups of individuals, located in 11 countries. We generally addressed our letters to the heads of state, as well as to the ministries or local authorities with jurisdiction over the case when we were able to ... Continue Reading>>
Omid Kokabee Accepts AAAS Award with Letter from Iranian Prison
Omid Kokabee was this year's winner of the prestigious 2014 Scientific Freedom & Responsibility Award from the American Association for the Advancement of Science. The award was presented on February 13 at the AAAS Annual Meeting in San Jose, California. "Given that Omid Kokabee could not be present because he’s in prison, the audience was very moved. I exaggerate only a little when I say ... Continue Reading>>
Iranian Appeals Court Upholds
Kokabee’s Ten-year Sentence
In a surprising setback for efforts to free imprisoned Iranian physicist Omid Kokabee an appeals court in Iran rejected th opinion of its supreme court and reaffirmed his ten-year prison sentence. There was no explanation of this ruling and it is unclear whether Kokabee will be able to appeal. We will continue to advocate for Kokabee in spite of this disappointment. Related articles Young ... Continue Reading>>