Kameel Ahmady was first detained in 2019. EPA
Kameel Ahmady was first detained in 2019. EPA
Kameel Ahmady was first detained in 2019. EPA
Kameel Ahmady was first detained in 2019. EPA

Iran jails British-Iranian Kurd Kameel Ahmady for subversive research


Simon Rushton
  • English
  • Arabic

An Iranian court sentenced a British-Iranian anthropologist to nine years in prison for conducting subversive research work, the semi-official news agency Tasnim said on Sunday.

Kameel Ahmady, an ethnic Kurd, was also fined $727,000, which Iranian authorities said he received for research from institutions accused of seeking to topple Iran's Islamic government.

Mr Ahmady was sentenced by Iran’s Revolutionary Court on charges of co-operation with European embassies, visiting Israel as a BBC reporter, co-operation and communication with foreign and hostile media, and infiltration aimed at changing the law.

He was convicted of sending false reports about the country to the UN’s special rapporteur on human rights in Iran. The report said Mr Ahmady has the right to appeal within 20 days.

He researched controversial issues such as child marriage and female genital mutilation in Iran, and was first detained in August 2019 but released on bail three months later, human rights groups say. There was no immediate official confirmation of the sentence.

"Ahmady was accused of acquiring illicit property from his co-operation in implementing subversive institutions' projects in the country," Tasnim said.

It was not immediately clear if Mr Ahmady is still free after the hearing or in custody. After his initial arrest, his wife, Shafagh Rahmani, told the Centre for Human Rights in Iran that his work was independent and published with government approval.

Rights activists accuse Iran of arresting dozens of dual citizens to try to win concessions from other countries.

British-Iranian Kameel Ahmady (left) and his wife Shafaq Rahmani. EPA
British-Iranian Kameel Ahmady (left) and his wife Shafaq Rahmani. EPA

Iran holds another British-Iranian citizen, Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who has already served most of her five-year sentence on espionage charges.

Anoosheh Ashoori, a retired engineer, was detained in August 2017 while visiting his mother and accused of passing intelligence to Israel.

His legal team said this weekend that they were worried for his life amid the coronavirus outbreak atEvin jail in Tehran.

War and the virus
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League final:

Who: Real Madrid v Liverpool
Where: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine
When: Saturday, May 26, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match on BeIN Sports

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Islamophobia definition

A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.

Schedule:

Sept 15: Bangladesh v Sri Lanka (Dubai)

Sept 16: Pakistan v Qualifier (Dubai)

Sept 17: Sri Lanka v Afghanistan (Abu Dhabi)

Sept 18: India v Qualifier (Dubai)

Sept 19: India v Pakistan (Dubai)

Sept 20: Bangladesh v Afghanistan (Abu Dhabi) Super Four

Sept 21: Group A Winner v Group B Runner-up (Dubai) 

Sept 21: Group B Winner v Group A Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)

Sept 23: Group A Winner v Group A Runner-up (Dubai)

Sept 23: Group B Winner v Group B Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)

Sept 25: Group A Winner v Group B Winner (Dubai)

Sept 26: Group A Runner-up v Group B Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)

Sept 28: Final (Dubai)

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets

White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogenChromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxideUltramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica contentOphiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on landOlivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour

Results

6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-2 Group 1 (PA) US$75,000 (Dirt) 1,900m

Winner: Ziyadd, Richard Mullen (jockey), Jean de Roualle (trainer).

7.05pm: Al Rashidiya Group 2 (TB) $250,000 (Turf) 1,800m

Winner: Barney Roy, William Buick, Charlie Appleby.

7.40pm: Meydan Cup Listed Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 2,810m

Winner: Secret Advisor, Tadhg O’Shea, Charlie Appleby.

8.15pm: Handicap (TB) $175,000 (D) 1,600m

Winner: Plata O Plomo, Carlos Lopez, Susanne Berneklint.

8.50pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,600m

Winner: Salute The Soldier, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass.

9.25pm: Al Shindagha Sprint Group 3 (TB) $200,000 (D) 1,200m

Winner: Gladiator King, Mickael Barzalona, Satish Seemar.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Living in...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.

Dirham Stretcher tips for having a baby in the UAE

Selma Abdelhamid, the group's moderator, offers her guide to guide the cost of having a young family:

• Buy second hand stuff

 They grow so fast. Don't get a second hand car seat though, unless you 100 per cent know it's not expired and hasn't been in an accident.

• Get a health card and vaccinate your child for free at government health centres

 Ms Ma says she discovered this after spending thousands on vaccinations at private clinics.

• Join mum and baby coffee mornings provided by clinics, babysitting companies or nurseries.

Before joining baby classes ask for a free trial session. This way you will know if it's for you or not. You'll be surprised how great some classes are and how bad others are.

• Once baby is ready for solids, cook at home

Take the food with you in reusable pouches or jars. You'll save a fortune and you'll know exactly what you're feeding your child.

Tips for SMEs to cope
  • Adapt your business model. Make changes that are future-proof to the new normal
  • Make sure you have an online presence
  • Open communication with suppliers, especially if they are international. Look for local suppliers to avoid delivery delays
  • Open communication with customers to see how they are coping and be flexible about extending terms, etc
    Courtesy: Craig Moore, founder and CEO of Beehive, which provides term finance and working capital finance to SMEs. Only SMEs that have been trading for two years are eligible for funding from Beehive.
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Long read

Mageed Yahia, director of WFP in UAE: Coronavirus knows no borders, and neither should the response

The biog

Date of birth: 27 May, 1995

Place of birth: Dubai, UAE

Status: Single

School: Al Ittihad private school in Al Mamzar

University: University of Sharjah

Degree: Renewable and Sustainable Energy

Hobby: I enjoy travelling a lot, not just for fun, but I like to cross things off my bucket list and the map and do something there like a 'green project'.