Omid Kokabee, University Of Texas Student, On Trial In Iran

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) -- A lawyer says an Iranian graduate student studying at the University of Texas has gone on trial in Tehran on charges of having "relations with a hostile country" and receiving "illegitimate funds."

Saeed Khalili says his client, Omid Kokabee, pleaded not guilty to both charges at the opening session of his trial Tuesday.

Iranian authorities arrested the 29-year-old Kokabee in February at the Tehran airport.

He was studying optics in the physics department at the University of Texas.

Khalili told The Associated Press that he has not been able to speak with Kokabee yet.

Though Iran and the United States have no diplomatic relations, many Iranian students apply to study in the U.S. every year.

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University of Texas President William Powers Jr. released a statement yesterday regarding Kokabee's situation, The Daily Texan reports:

"The University of Texas is deeply concerned for the fair and humane treatment of our graduate student Omid Kokabee, who has been imprisoned for more than nine months and reportedly stands trial Tuesday for espionage," Powers said in the statement. "Although we don't know all the facts of this case, we do know that Mr. Kokabee is serious about his graduate studies, well regarded by his colleagues and a valued member of the UT community."

A recent column in the Texan criticized the school for not taking an active role in Kokabee's defense:

In any case, UT's failure to generate public awareness of Kokabee's condition will embolden other authoritarian regimes to muzzle their international students.

[...]

It could be argued that since Kokabee isn't American, he doesn't deserve the support of UT. But the University's non-discrimination policy states our students should be treated equally regardless of citizenship. UT student groups can similarly find comfort in espousing generalities on supporting international justice and human rights, but Kokabee gives us a face of a fellow member of our community in need of our open support.

An online petition has also been started in support of Kokabee.

Comments

[AKL1985]

04:25 PM on 10/05/2011

why isn't this headline news?

[alanmirs]

03:46 AM on 10/05/2011

The rule of law:
That individuals, persons and government shall submit to, obey and be regulated by law, and not arbitrary action by an individual or a group of individuals.
In the most basic sense, the rule of law is a system that attempts to protect the rights of citizens from arbitrary and abusive use of government power
The rule of law is a legal maxim that states no person is immune to law, and no one can be punished by the government except for a breach of the law
The Constitution of
The Islamic Republic
Of Iran
Article 32
No one may be arrested except by the order of and in accordance with the procedure laid down by law. In case of arrest, the charges along with the grounds for accusation must be communicated without delay and explained in writing to the accused, and a provisional dossier must be forwarded to the competent judicial authorities within a maximum of twenty-four hours so that the preliminaries of the trial can be completed as soon as possible. Violation of this article will be liable to penal action in accordance with law.

[The Mighty Cynic]

10:39 PM on 10/04/2011

The number one thing lied about in US media: anything Iran. You'd think a country of 100 million with the largest GDP in the Middle East (17th in the world) even under sanctions, which is comprised of only 40% oil revenue as opposed to countries like Saudi Arabia 80%+ oil revenue, would be less barbaric than they would make it seem.

AH, but the same lying media tells you the Wall Street protesters have no clue what they're doing, and that otherwise, the demands are for anarchy or communism.

Anyone who bites on this stuff: I am positive that you are better than this and can think a little critically about emotional stories without facts or supporting evidence.

[cmturek6]

02:40 PM on 10/04/2011

Iran needs more bail money, guess they are trying another route.

[jabidi]

02:07 PM on 10/04/2011

He is probably guilty. Every month thousand of Iranians go to Iran for visit but there has only been very few of stories like this. Don't forget that US is spending millions of dollars for destabilization of the Iranian regime.

[alanmirs]

03:56 AM on 10/05/2011

Good point, but why so much secrecy on part of Iranian judiciary? If they have proof why don't they make it public? If innocent spending time in jail for such long time is not fair