A Cry for Help: Ahmadreza Djalali’s Desperate Plea from Evin Prison
Abandoned in Despair – A Swedish-Iranian’s Plea to His Prime Minister
Imprisoned since 2016, the Swedish-Iranian scientist Ahmadreza Djalali finds himself lingering in the shadows of the Evin Prison in Iran, a place he describes as a “terrible cave.” After enduring nearly 3,000 days behind bars, Djalali’s despair reached new levels recently when he made a heart-wrenching phone call. The recipient of his call? None other than Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.
In the recorded conversation, revealed first by the newspaper Expressen and made with his wife, Vida Mehrannia, Djalali voices a stark accusation. “You chose to leave me behind, at great risk of being executed,” he said, directing his words towards Kristersson. This statement comes in the aftermath of a prisoner exchange between Sweden and Iran, which saw the freedom of two other Swedes, Johan Floderus and Saeed Azizi, while Djalali remains captive.
Echoes of Despair and Discrimination
The difference in fates between Djalali and the recently freed Swedes has not gone unnoticed by the imprisoned scholar. “It’s blatant discrimination,” Djalali asserts, his voice heavy with accusation and sorrow. He shares that his family is heartbroken and filled with grief, and he worries for their well-being. His plea is simple yet profound: “Mr. Prime Minister, you chose to leave me behind with a high risk of execution in Evin Prison. You did not fight for my situation or against my death sentence.”
A Lost Childhood and a Family’s Agony
Djalali also brings up the personal toll his imprisonment has taken on his family, particularly his son, who was only four years old when he was detained. Now, as years have passed, Djalali urges Kristersson to face his family before the cameras and explain why he was left behind.
A Nation Waits for Answers
As Djalali’s plight continues to unfold, the responses from Swedish officials remain pending. Aftonbladet, another Swedish news outlet, reports that while they sought comments from Kristersson, his press secretary redirected inquiries to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tobias Billström. The quest for insights into Sweden’s diplomatic strategies and decisions in Djalali’s case continues, as does the international discourse around his captivity.
Djalali’s story is not just a narrative about one man’s fight against a death sentence; it is a poignant reminder of the complex, often murky waters of international politics and human rights. It raises critical questions about the responsibilities of governments towards their citizens abroad, and the sometimes harsh realities of diplomatic negotiations. As the world watches, one can only hope for a resolution that brings peace to Djalans and justice for Djalali and his family.
