The Swedish-Iranian researcher Ahmadreza Djalali is addressing Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (M) directly.
Prime Minister, you decided to leave me behind with a great risk of being executed. You left me helpless here, says Djalali in an audio recording.
Ahmadreza Djalali was not included in the recent prisoner exchange, where Johan Floderus and Saeed Azizi were released in exchange for Sweden releasing the life-sentenced Hamid Noury.
In an audio recording made by his wife over the phone, Djalali says to Kristersson:
Prime Minister, I am speaking to you from Evin Prison, in a terrible dungeon where I have spent eight years, two months, almost 3,000 days of my life during this period, every day, says Djalali.
Every one of these days, I thought it was my last.
"Obvious case of discrimination"
Djalali also brings up the recent prisoner exchange.
I am very glad that the two others were released. One Iranian-Swede, the other Swedish. But it is an obvious case of discrimination. That you took two Swedes and left one behind. You left me here completely helpless. Why not me, after 3,000 days?
Djalali urges Kristersson to meet with his family in front of the media.
Explain to my son why I was left behind. And what you will do for him if I am executed, he says.
Iran refuses to negotiate
Ahmadreza Djalali was arrested in Iran in 2016 and is sentenced to death. He became a Swedish citizen in 2018.
TT has sought Ulf Kristersson, who refers to the Foreign Ministry. Foreign Minister Tobias Billström (M) regrets the situation.
Like many others, I feel outraged over the conditions he is imprisoned under and I also strongly sympathize with his family and loved ones who are separated from him, he says.
To meet with his wife
According to the Foreign Minister, the government has done its utmost to bring Djalali home together with Floderus and Azizi.
We brought up Ahmadreza Djalali's name, we made an effort to get him released as well, but the Iranian regime refused, citing that Djalali is not a Swedish citizen. We made an effort, but the Iranian regime said no, says Billström.
We have not abandoned him, we have not left him behind, we will continue to work tirelessly for his release as well.
In recent days, Djalali's wife Vida Mehrannia has been protesting outside the Foreign Ministry to meet with the Prime Minister or the Foreign Minister. Now, Billström announces that he will have a meeting with his wife in the near future.
