Citizens are calling for urgent action to release Dr Ahmadreza Djalali, an academic imprisoned and sentenced to death in Iran. Many citizens have written to the President of the European Parliament on this subject since May 2025, asking her to intervene in order to stop his execution, secure his release, and ensure he has access to medical care.
We replied to citizens who took the time to write to the President:
Main elements of our reply
The European Parliament and its President have clearly and repeatedly expressed their concern and called on the Iranian authorities to free Dr Djalali, in 2021, 2022, 2023 and again in January 2025.
European Parliament again calls for Dr Djalali’s release
In its June 2025 resolution dedicated to the case of Ahmadreza Djalali in Iran, Parliament reiterates its calls on Iran to immediately release Dr Djalali, along with all political prisoners, abolish the death penalty and put a moratorium on executions.
Parliament again strongly condemns Djalali’s sham trial and Iran’s brutal treatment of him. It urges Iran to provide immediate and unrestricted access to medical care at an external hospital in light of his deteriorating health, as well as to provide him with legal representation and regular family contact.
It also calls on Sweden, other relevant EU countries and the EU to intensify diplomatic efforts and to adopt target measures against Iran for detaining EU nationals as part of its hostage diplomacy and in violation of international law.
Actions by President Metsola
During Parliament’s April 2024 session, referring to Swedish nationals held in Iran, President Metsola highlighted that Dr Djalali had been jailed for eight years, making him the longest held EU national in Iran. She reiterated that Parliament condemns the Iranian regime’s arrest of EU nationals in the strongest possible terms, and will continue to work to secure the release of all those held on false charges.
In May 2022, President Metsola wrote on behalf of the European Parliament to the Iranian Parliament ahead of his planned execution (since postponed), strongly objecting to the death sentence handed down to Dr Djalali. President Metsola restated the European Parliament’s strong opposition to the death penalty and called once again on Iran to release Ahmadreza Djalali immediately.
Background
Citizens often send messages to the President of the European Parliament expressing their views and/or requesting action. The Citizens’ Enquiries Unit (AskEP) within the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS) replies to these messages, which may sometimes be identical as part of wider public campaigns.
The Citizens’ Enquiries Unit provides information on the activities, powers and organisation of the European Parliament. You ask, we answer.