The Washington Post reports the Middle East Studies Association of North America has written to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of its “grave concern” about the imprisonment of American scholar Haleh Esfandiari, who was recently jailed in Tehran after more than four months under house arrest.
“Harassment and detention of scholars is always cause for grave concern, but in this case it should be noted that the scholar in question is widely respected both for her knowledge and ability to provide clear and dispassionate analysis,” said MESA. It also protests Iran’s denial of legal counsel to the 67-year-old grandmother, who was visiting Iran to help her sick mother, 93.
There is increasing talk of an academic boycott of Iran to pressure the government to free her.
A positive move by MESA.