An Open Letter from Academics of the World to Ayatollah Ali Khameneei

16 January 2013

Dear Ayatollah Ali Khameneei:

We write on behalf of Abbas Khosravi Farsani, a graduate of Imam Sadegh
University, who was until recently working on a Ph.D. in Western Philosophy
at Isfahan University. Last June, however, Mr. Farsani was arrested and
expelled from the University and forbidden to teach at any Iranian university
for writing the blog and book by the name of Najvahaye Najibane (Noble
Whispers) allegedly insulting the Supreme Leader and high officials of the
Iranian regime. He has a summons to appear before the Revolution Court of
Iran on January 26.

We write with four concerns particular to Mr. Farsanis situation.

First, the expulsion of Mr. Farsani from Isfahan University, especially as he
neared completion by defending his Ph.D. thesis, is unfair and excessively
punitive. We write to you with the conviction that a student who has devoted
so much time and effort in the pursuit of knowledge via a formal degree,
should be allowed to complete that pursuit, by finishing his graduate work at
the University.

Second, we protest the decision to forbid Mr. Farsani from seeking a
teaching position at a university, while at the same time imposing a heavy
bail. This is especially troubling as we understand that Mr. Farsani has lost
his educational scholarship and faces extreme financial worries. Thus, to
forbid Mr. Farsani from teaching exacerbates those worries and, even more
seriously, is in effect a punishment imposed prior to judicial sentencing. We
write with the hope that bringing these facts to your attention will result in a
lifting of the ban which precluded Mr. Farsani from seeking employment in
the area of his training.

Third, we are deeply concerned by reports that Mr. Farsani was subjected to
psychological torture while in the custody of the Ministry of Intelligence for
20 days. If accurate, those reports call into question the justness of the
courts findings as evidence obtained under tortuous duress is universally
recognized as unreliable and its use in adjudication unfair.

Fourth, we believe that Mr. Farsani, quite apart from the issue of possible
psychological torture, was deprived of fair legal process. It is our
understanding that Mr. Farsani was neither allowed to dispute the findings of
the court as he was granted no defense representation, nor allowed to


present a positive defense case on his own behalf. The right of an accused to
mount a defense with which to dispute charges and accusations is
fundamental to the rule of law, and a basic constituent of a just state. To
learn that Mr. Farsani was denied this basic protection again throws into
serious question the justness of the courts procedure and findings.

Our appeal is grounded on the hope that the rights of all Iranians will receive
the respect and protection characteristic of a just state. We are convinced
that the Iranian people, with their venerable history and civilization, are
entitled to the highest freedoms and the great good of an unfettered
education.

Signatories: