Mohammad Habibi, a 29 year-old teacher, was arrested on March 3, 2018 in front of his students by the Revolutionary Guards. Habibi has since been sentenced for 10.5 years in prison for “gathering and colluding to commit crimes against national security,” “spreading propaganda against the system,” and “disturbing public order.” Habibi is an active member of the Iranian Teachers’ Trade ... Continue Reading>>
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo Visited Turkey Today and Addressed Release of Serkan Golge, US NASA Scientist
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo travelled to Turkey today to discuss several issues - one being the release of U.S. NASA scientist, Serkan Golge. Dr. Golge has been confined since 2016 after being accused of involvement with the failed coup attempt as a supporter of Gulen. Dr. Golge has denied Gulenist and coup involvement. He was, however, initially sentenced to 7.5 years in prison, which was ... Continue Reading>>
NASA Scientist Still Held in Turkish Prison – Needs Concerted U.S. Help for Release
Dr. Serkan Golge, an American citizen and a scientist working with NASA on their Mission to Mars program, was arrested while on vacation with his family, visiting his parents in Turkey. He was accused of being a participant in the failed coup attempt against the President of Turkey. He has always denied the charge. There appears to be very little corroborative evidence in this case and his ... Continue Reading>>
UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention Rules That Iran Has Violated Xiyue Wang’s Rights And He Should Be Released
On August 7, 2016 Mr. Wang, while completing research on his PhD dissertation, was detained in solitary confinement for 18 days and has been imprisoned since that date. He was sentenced on July 16, 2017 to ten years for ‘collaboration with a hostile state’ and “espionage”. Mr. Wang’s physical and emotional health has been deteriorating over this time: denied proper medical care and subjected ... Continue Reading>>
Narges Mohammadi Furloughed for Three Days to See Ill Father
Narges Mohammadi, a political prisoner in Iran’s Evin Prison has been granted a short, three day furlough to see her 85 year old father who has had multiple brain seizures over the past year. Mohammadi’s mother wrote a letter to the Tehran Prosecutor requesting permission for her daughter to go see her father for one hour. However, it was a 210 mile trip in each direction. Mohammadi is serving ... Continue Reading>>
Health of G.N. Saibaba, Former Professor of English at Delhi University, Is Seriously Deteriorating
Dr. G.N. Saibaba, who was sentenced to life in prison under a terrorism statute for contradictory opinions with the government of India, has been sentenced to life in prison. Dr. Saibaba is wheelchair-bound from a childhood incidence with polio that left him significantly paralyzed. Since he has been in prison his health has continued to deteriorate. Without good medical and follow-up care Dr. ... Continue Reading>>
Istanbul Technical University Academics Sentenced for Alleged Participation in Terrorist Group
On Friday, May 25th, sixteen academics from Istanbul University were sentenced to prison terms varying from 3 years to 7.5 years for their alleged support of the Gulen movement. All were convicted and charged with membership in a terrorist group. The Turkish government has accused the followers of Gulen of masterminding the July 15, 2016 failed coup attempt. More than 150,000 people, including ... Continue Reading>>
Addendum to Kokabee Letters
Information on specific violations from Saeed Khalili, Omid Kokabee’s lawyer Kokabee suffered illegal detention while his ruling was determined through bail - however, the judicial officials did not accept the bail offer. No evidence was presented against Kokabee in a trial with over a dozen other defendants in a very short trial, under 20 minutes. Kokabee’s rights were violated by Iranian ... Continue Reading>>