Iranian authorities released Omid Kokabee, former doctoral student in physics at The University of Texas at Austin, on Monday after more than five years of imprisonment according to reports by multiple outlets including the Associated Press.
Kokabee was a first-year doctoral student when he was arrested in January 2011 while visiting family in Iran during winter break. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison on espionage charges that Kokabee's supporters, including UT faculty and students, long denounced as false, many news sources noted. Around the world, groups such as The International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran and the Committee of Concerned Scientists had called for his release.
"We are very happy and relieved," UT physics professor Herbert Berk told The Alcalde. Berk helped organize advocacy efforts for Kokabee and went on to say that the physics department would welcome him back should he chose to resume his studies at UT.
Read more coverage of Kokabee's release:
Iran releases physicist after five years in jail, Nature
Iran releases jailed Texas graduate student, USA Today
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