Professor sentenced to death in Iran

- An Iranian scientist working for a Belgian university, was sentenced to death in his native Iran, where he is accused of espionage. The 45-year-old Ahmad Reza Djalali, was arrested in April 2016 by the security forces when he tried to visit his family.

Djalali was being put in a prison in Tehran, where he sat for seven months in solitary confinement, without a lawyer. Every two weeks he was allowed to have telephone contact with family, reports The Independent.

In May noticed his colleagues at the Free University of Brussels (VUB) that something was wrong when Djalali not appeared on a course. Djalali works for a research group affiliated with the university and the Italian UPO University in Navaro, where he teaches to doctors in training in disaster medicine.

Initially kept the family and colleagues the matter quiet so as not to frustrate the Iranian regime, at the risk of worsening the situation for Djalali. But after the death sentence they have decided to raise the alarm.

According to Iranian authorities, the national security is at stake. They suspect Djalali of cooperation with scientists from enemy states. Time is pressing, as carried out within two weeks of the death penalty, according to the family would.

The rector of the university calls for action. An online petition hope colleagues and family to turn the tide. 'A scientist carries out vital humanitarian work, is condemned without public trial and his sentence of death's head. 'Meanwhile, many thousands of signatures have already been collected.

Probably definitely an Iranian court on February 15 is permanently or Djalali executed. Before the final decision is made, the organizers wish to submit the petition to the Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.