Scholars at Risk: A Case Study

It has been five years since some 60 political activists; many scholars and university professors among them, with alleged links to the so-called ``nationalist-religious'' group and the Freedom Movement of Iran (FMI) were arrested in March and April 2001 on a series of charges including plotting to topple the Islamic establishment in Iran. Almost all of those detained were later released on bail and stood trials before different branches of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, and court of appeals. All sessions and hearings were held behind closed doors! Final verdicts have been gradually delivered, but the judiciary refuses to enforce the sentences, drop the charges, or return the bails. The whole case has been turned into a Sword of Damocles held over the heads of all political activists who happen to be critical of the system.