Sweden – Karolinska Institutet, Apr. 17, 2026
Ahmadreza Djalali has been imprisoned in Iran for ten years, facing the threat of execution. The case of this KI researcher highlights a growing threat to academic freedom – even in Western countries such as Sweden.
It is ten years since the doctor and researcher Ahmadreza Djalali was imprisoned in Iran. This was marked by an open seminar on threats to academic freedom and the persecution of researchers, with a particular focus on the Djalali case. The seminar brought together speakers and panellists from academia, the diplomatic community and human rights organisations at the Nobel Forum at Karolinska Institutet.
More urgent than ever
Annika Östman Wernerson, President of Karolinska Institutet, began by emphasising her frustration that, after ten years, Ahmadreza Djalali remains imprisoned in Iran in violation of fundamental principles of justice.
“The abuse suffered by Ahmadreza and his family is also an abuse and a cynical attack on knowledge, science, research and academic freedom. The fight for justice and for Ahmadreza’s immediate release is more important and more urgent than ever,” said Annika Östman Wernerson.
A symbol of academic freedom
Ahmadreza Djalali’s wife, Vida Mehrannia, and his daughter were also present.
– Today I stand here not only as Ahmadreza’s wife, but also to highlight his case as a symbol of the vital struggle for academic freedom. Being a researcher is not a crime. Academic freedom needs to be protected, and that is why we must talk about Ahmadreza’s case, write about it, and keep his name alive,” said Vida Mehrannia.
