Statement of concern on detention of Drs. Kamiar and Arash Alaei by Iranian authorities

For immediate release: Friday, August 8, 2008

Boston, MA — Barry R. Bloom, Dean of the Harvard School of Public Health, today expressed “deep concern regarding the detention by Iranian authorities of Dr. Kamiar Alaei, a 2007 Masters of Science graduate of our School, and of his brother, Dr. Arash Alaei. The brothers are Iranian physicians working on the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS, an important public health problem in their country.”

“There is concern for their welfare, as their whereabouts are unknown, and there has been no communication from them since they were detained in June. I join with other public health professionals, organizations and institutions in expressing concern for their safety and well-being.”

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For further information contact:

Harvard School of Public Health
Robin Herman
Assistant Dean for Communications
rherman@hsph.harvard.edu
(617) 432-4752