Iranian media confirm arrest of British-Iranian professor
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 26 April 2018 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Iranian media confirm arrest of British-Iranian professor, 26 April 2018, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5b20de04a.html [accessed 22 October 2022] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
April 26, 2018 10:24 GMT
By RFE/RL
Abbas Edalat
British-Iranian scientist and peace campaigner Abbas Edalat has been arrested in Iran for his alleged role in an "infiltration network," Iranian media confirmed on April 25.
An unnamed source quoted by the Fars news agency said, "Recently, members of an infiltration network affiliated to Britain have been arrested."
Fars is viewed as close to Iran's powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC).
The Fars statement, which mentioned Edalat by name, confirmed earlier reports by a human rights group and friends of his family.
"Iran's continued arbitrary arrests of dual nationals without transparency and lack of due process is extremely concerning," said Hadi Ghaemi, CHRI's executive director.
Edalat traveled to Iran from his home in London at an unknown date to attend an academic workshop, according to family friends and the rights group.
British authorities said they were "urgently seeking" information about Edalat's situation.
The British Foreign Office said in a statement that it was "urgently seeking information from the Iranian authorities following reports of the arrest of a British-Iranian dual national."
At least two other British-Iranian citizens are known to be held in Iran.
One unidentified British-Iranian man was sentenced in March to six years in prison on spying charges.
With reporting by The Wall Street Journal and Reuters
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
