Lecturer bailed out, waiting for trial in Iran

By Chris O'Connell

Iranian officials released a Santa Clara political science lecturer from prison in early November, but he is currently without a passport awaiting trial from that nation's Ministry of Justice.

Iranian-born Dariush Zahedi was a lecture professor at both Santa Clara and the University of California, Berkeley, up until his imprisonment in Iran in July. He was released on $250, 000 bail. Zahedi was held in solitary confinement on charges of espionage at Evin Prison in Tehran, according to The New York Times.

Zahedi's case, first reviewed by Iran's Ministry of Information, was dropped due to lack of evidence. The case was then referred to the Ministry of Justice, so the Iranian judiciary continued to hold Zahedi. He was jailed for nearly four months.

Although Zahedi is able to contact outside sources from Iran, a friend and colleague said under the condition of anonymity that because of Zahedi's predicament, he wishes not to comment on his situation due to the possible negative ramifications for speaking out.

University officials also declined requests for interviews, respecting the wishes of Zahedi's family.

In October, Santa Clara sent a letter to the United States Congress and State Department urging them to consider Zahedi's safety. The United States and Iran broke official diplomatic relations in 1980.

Zahedi, 38, is the director of the West Coast operations of the American Iranian Council (AIC), a nonprofit educational organization devoted to improving relations between the United States and Iran. He is the author of "The Iranian Revolution Then and Now: Indicators of Regime Instability," and the editor of "Iran in the New Millennium: Opportunities and Challenges."

Zahedi has been a post-doctoral fellow at Harvard University's Center for Middle Eastern Studies, and has also taught at the University of Southern California. His articles have appeared in journals such as "Middle East Policy" and the "Harvard Middle Eastern and Islamic Review."

Contact Chris O'Connell at (408) 554-4546 or at coconnell@scu.edu.