Iranian-Swedish Academic Criticizes Swedish PM Over Exclusion from Prisoner Swap
Iranian-Swedish academic Ahmadreza Djalali, on death row in Iran for eight years, attacked Sweden's Prime Minister for his exclusion from a prisoner swap. Two Swedes were freed in exchange for an Iranian ex-prisons official, but Djalali missed out. Sweden's Foreign Minister said efforts were made to secure Djalali’s release, but Iran refused to negotiate due to not recognizing dual nationality, which Djalali’s wife called an excuse.
Iranian-Swedish academic Ahmadreza Djalali, on death row in Iran for eight years, criticized Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson for excluding him from a recent prisoner swap.
Two Swedes, EU diplomat Johan Floderus and Iranian-Swede Saeed Azizi, were exchanged for Hamid Noury, an Iranian ex-prisons official serving a life sentence in Sweden.
Djalali, imprisoned since 2017 on espionage charges, questioned why he was left behind in a message from Evin Prison, shared by his wife, Vida Mehrannia.
Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom stated that Sweden attempted to secure Djalali’s release, but Iran refused to discuss his case due to not recognizing dual nationality.
Mehrannia believes this is an excuse, claiming Sweden didn't challenge Iran enough.
Djalali's message highlights his son's long separation from him, emphasizing the personal costs of his imprisonment.
Amnesty International has urged Sweden to intensify efforts for Djalali's release.
Two Swedes, EU diplomat Johan Floderus and Iranian-Swede Saeed Azizi, were exchanged for Hamid Noury, an Iranian ex-prisons official serving a life sentence in Sweden.
Djalali, imprisoned since 2017 on espionage charges, questioned why he was left behind in a message from Evin Prison, shared by his wife, Vida Mehrannia.
Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom stated that Sweden attempted to secure Djalali’s release, but Iran refused to discuss his case due to not recognizing dual nationality.
Mehrannia believes this is an excuse, claiming Sweden didn't challenge Iran enough.
Djalali's message highlights his son's long separation from him, emphasizing the personal costs of his imprisonment.
Amnesty International has urged Sweden to intensify efforts for Djalali's release.