Belgium – HLN, June 19, 2025
The European Parliament has once again demanded the immediate release of Ahmadreza Djalali, the Iranian-Swedish emergency doctor and visiting professor at VUB, who has been imprisoned in an Iranian cell for nine years. He suffered a heart attack just last month.
“This European citizen was tortured, denied medical care, and sentenced to death after a sham trial. Now, with rising tensions in the Middle East, his life is even more at risk. Iran is using him as a bargaining chip,” said Hilde Vautmans (Open Vld/Renew).
“If Iran doesn’t execute him, he will die from the effects of deprivation. And Europe stands by and watches,” criticized Wouter Beke (CD&V/EPP). “Every day could be his last. When will Europe stop looking away? When will it truly act to free this innocent man?”
Alleged espionage
Members of the European Parliament are now calling on Kaja Kallas, the High Representative for Foreign Affairs, to raise the issue again with the Iranian regime. The resolution was passed with 486 votes in favor, 8 against, and 29 abstentions.
