World

Iran Charges University of Texas Physics Student With Espionage

Omid Kokabee Charged With Espionage in IranTEHRAN, Iran (The Blaze/AP) — An Iranian graduate student at the University of Texas went on trial Tuesday in Tehran on charges of having relations with a hostile country and receiving illegitimate funds, his lawyer said.

Omid Kokabee pleaded not guilty to both charges during the trial’s opening session, said the attorney, Saeed Khalili. He could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted. The Daily Texan writes:

Since his incarceration, Kokabee has been charged by the Iranian government of “communicating with a hostile government” and “illegitimate/illegal earnings.” According to the ScienceInsider magazine, the government has accused Kokabee of selling off intelligence on Iran’s nuclear technology and actively colluding with the CIA. Under Iran’s penal code, charges related to espionage can carry the death penalty.

Iranian authorities arrested the 29-year-old Kokabee in February at Tehran’s international airport as he was about to get on a flight to return to the U.S. after a short vacation in Iran. In May, a petition posted by supporters on GoPetition requests that he be released. The following demands are made in the text of the petition:

1) We the undersigned demand the immediate and unconditional release of Omid Kokabee

2) We demand the prison authorities, all government forces, agents, police, and basij to stop the inhumane torture of Iranian citizens in prison in Iran!

3) We demand for Omid Kokabee
to receive urgently needed medical care for the torture wounds inflicted by prison authorities.

Kokabee was studying optics in the physics department of the University of Texas and had previously specialized in lasers, one of his academic advisers said. None of his studies were linked to nuclear applications, said John Keto, chair of the graduate studies program at the University of Texas at Austin’s department of physics.

The image below is a snapshot of what appears to be Kokabee’s university web site:

Omid Kokabee Charged With Espionage in Iran

Iran’s nuclear program is a major source of tension between Tehran and Washington. The U.S. and other countries accuse Iran of making all the necessary preparations to build a nuclear arsenal. Iran denies that and says its nuclear work has only peaceful aims, like power generation.

The student‘s lawyer told The Associated Press that he was not been permitted to speak with Kokabee at Tuesday’s trial session.

“He denied all charges. The entire session was allocated to (procedural) hearings and the court is to hold another session,” Khalili said. No date was set for the next hearing.

There were few details on the precise accusations against the student.

Many Iranian students apply to study in the U.S. every year, but the acrimonious relations between the two countries means that any contact between an Iranian and the United States can raise suspicions in Tehran.

The two countries have never restored diplomatic relations severed in the wake of Iran’s 1979 revolution, and in recent years Tehran has repeatedly accused the U.S. of fomenting unrest inside Iran.

Keto said Kokabee had difficulty getting a visa to the United States.

Omid Kokabee Charged With Espionage in Iran

Image Source: Sharif.academia.edu

“It took a number of letters to the State Department. But he finally arrived here in August of 2010 and started graduate school,” Keto said.

Since 2007, a number of U.S.-Iranian dual nationals or Americans of Iranian ancestry have faced arrest, imprisonment or criminal charges when visiting Iran.

Iran last month released two Americans who had been convicted of illegal entry and espionage after they were arrested along the border with Iraq in July 2009.

Keto said that the university first learned of Kokabee’s arrest from another student after he failed to show up for his studies.

“His family actually asked us at that time not to make a big deal out of this because they felt like some kind of rabble rousing from the U.S. would not be in his interest,” he said.

Comments (49)

  • gingerbread
    Posted on October 5, 2011 at 4:53pm

    When are these stupid people going to realise that any time you go to IRAN, you are putting your life in danger. Why aren’t everyone outside IRAN, not boycotting this vicious country. LOOK, whoever you are, DO NOT GO TO IRAN, FOR ANY REASON. If you should ignore this advice, don’t come running to me, because this country decides that you are the enemy of the state. I’ll tell you waht it will take to release this stupid man, a million dollars. It’s called a ransom.

    Report Post » gingerbread  
  • elosogrande
    Posted on October 4, 2011 at 7:08pm

    Why would we be educating ANYONE FROM AN UNFRIENDLY NATION? Laser technology has military applications and there is no reason to help a country such as Iran develop anything that could be used militarily. Send this kid and any others home.

    Report Post »  
    • christianforisrael
      Posted on October 4, 2011 at 8:21pm

      elosogrande,
      Interesting you can be so heartless, the Iranian people showed they yearn for freedom. The world (and Obama) sat idly by as the Iranian people were brutally repressed. Im assuming you are insincere with your comments, you are probably attempting to appear like a heartless racist ….. right?

      Report Post »  
    • mlcblog
      Posted on October 5, 2011 at 1:59am

      I was mixed up about it, too, until I could take a minute and read the article and then this comment. I remember now that it was Iran with all the green flags with people bravely flooding the streets in desire of freedom — a courageous move since they were in imminent danger for their lives and which was sadly NOT backed up or met with an embrace by our so-called State Dept which is and has been full of socialists and anti-Americans and intellectuals so bored with things that they cannot recognize the heart cry of true freedom.

      Report Post » mlcblog  
  • Totally Amazed
    Posted on October 4, 2011 at 5:28pm

    Hey, how about we arrest the President of Iran the next time he visits the “hostile” USA. Then come up with some “espionage” charges while demanding a simple “releasement fee.” Ahhh… if only we would.

    Report Post »  
    • loriann12
      Posted on October 4, 2011 at 7:28pm

      We could if he wasn’t such close buds with the current occupant of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

      Report Post »  
  • babylonvi
    Posted on October 4, 2011 at 4:40pm

    If he voluntarily went back, then this is a self inflicted injury(no sympathy for self inflicted injuries). Why do we let in students who can learn skills helpful to the enemy? On the other hand, he may have been recruited to work for us and if so, hopefully he will be able to get out somehow.

    Report Post » babylonvi  
    • mlcblog
      Posted on October 5, 2011 at 2:01am

      So he went back on a vacation and he should be punished for trying that? I don’t think so.

      Report Post » mlcblog  
  • bankerpapaw
    Posted on October 4, 2011 at 4:21pm

    Do you think Iran would play nice if we gave them Senn Penn, Danny Glover and Susan Sarandon?
    I do believe they would be very happy over there. They seem to hate America as much as Iran does.

    Report Post »  
  • bankerpapaw
    Posted on October 4, 2011 at 4:17pm

    Maybe we could send them Senn Penn, Danny Glover, Matt Damon and Susan Surandon. I do
    believe they would be happy over there.

    Report Post »  
  • sWampy
    Posted on October 4, 2011 at 3:50pm

    Well good for them, they can have him.

    Report Post »  
  • Dave In Arizona
    Posted on October 4, 2011 at 3:34pm

    More ransom payments?

    Report Post » Dave In Arizona  
    • Lucy Larue
      Posted on October 4, 2011 at 6:21pm

      DAVE IN ARIZONA,

      More ransom payments…,perhaps.
      But this guy seems a better bet on loving the U.S.A. than the three IDIOT hikers.

      Report Post »  
  • capitalismrocks
    Posted on October 4, 2011 at 3:14pm

    Lesson learned – once you get out of a country like Iran – NEVER GO BACK !!!

    Report Post » capitalismrocks  
    • bankerpapaw
      Posted on October 4, 2011 at 4:14pm

      Capitalismrocks, you are 100% correct. Once you crawl out of the pig pen, don’t crawl back in.
      Especially the Hog Pen that is Iran.

      Report Post »  
  • raininseattle
    Posted on October 4, 2011 at 2:44pm

    On why we let Iranians into our country: Most of Iran is aged 30 and below. Many, if not most, do not embrace Islam. They love love love America. They view the mosques and Amdinajihad as radical and out of touch. The young KNOW that revolution will eat its babies. They love democracy. Over 20 percent are Christian. NOT ALL PERSIANS are freaks and radicals. Radicals are radicals who march on bridges and live off their parents’ money while they camp out in New York, or try to blow their shoes and underwear up on airplanes. The youth in Iran are for the most part, LOVELY.

    Report Post »  
    • jakartaman
      Posted on October 4, 2011 at 5:17pm

      Seattle – now I understand.
      You folks live in an other dimension.
      I am sure there are lovely peaceful youths in Iran, but there is also some very evil youth in Iran.
      I lived in Indonesia for years in the 90′s – I would also tell you that the Indonesian people are lovely.
      However, when things got bad (rice and palm oil shortages) – the lovely people turned on the Christians as an excuse for all their troubles.

      Report Post »  
  • Drum Man
    Posted on October 4, 2011 at 2:36pm

    Check this out,… only 20 seconds long…

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6URpHh4iuJE

    Report Post » Drum Man  
    • thegodfather
      Posted on October 4, 2011 at 3:24pm

      Tell it.Time to take a harder stand against the MINORITY commies trying to dismantle this great nation. They are in bed with the anarchists. Destruction of this country is their goal.

      Report Post » thegodfather  
    • booger71
      Posted on October 4, 2011 at 3:31pm

      crackerone
      Posted on October 4, 2011 at 2:47pm
      ———————-
      That’s not the point, why would our State Dept allow anyone from Iran into our country legally.

      Report Post » booger71  
    • crackerone
      Posted on October 4, 2011 at 4:12pm

      @Booger71

      I see your point, but why would they let anyone stay in the country, who has entered illegally.

      For every 100 drywallers and roofers entering from Mexico, 1 person with ill intent could cause some serious damage. Stop illegal immigration, and don’t give away State secrets. (Bill Clinton and the Chinese come to mind)

      Report Post »  
  • Elena2010
    Posted on October 4, 2011 at 2:17pm

    What have these posts to do w/a UT student being held as a spy by his home country?

    Stick to the topic at hand.

    Report Post » Elena2010  
  • CCRYDER
    Posted on October 4, 2011 at 2:06pm

    @Nuffsaid – perhaps they are working on verifying this before posting….it would appear BHO is indeed in like flynn with the NBPP – so new? Finally, what in tarnation has this got to do with the article on this Iranian student? I presume you have emailed the Blaze support team about this story – right?

    Report Post »  
  • crackerone
    Posted on October 4, 2011 at 2:03pm

    Maybe we can trade him for the three they just sent back.

    Report Post »  
    • I.Gaspar
      Posted on October 4, 2011 at 2:10pm

      don’t forget sean penn…they can have him, too.

       
    • rdietz7
      Posted on October 4, 2011 at 2:26pm

      They can have everyone that stood on the Brooklyn bridge over the weekend, in return for this Iranian. He has more brains than the whole lot of godless anarchists.

      Report Post » rdietz7  
    • booger71
      Posted on October 4, 2011 at 2:27pm

      Just why are we allowing any Iranian into our country?

      Report Post » booger71  
    • crackerone
      Posted on October 4, 2011 at 2:47pm

      @Booger71

      Well, he’s probably here legally, unlike our southern border. Let’s start there.

      Report Post »  
    • raininseattle
      Posted on October 4, 2011 at 2:48pm

      Yes! The first words they utter are Berkley hogwash. Idiots. Iran can keep them. And the stupid utterances of “oh I watched the sunset” crap….they are so stupid. Maybe they were starved into stupidity or Berkley did it for them long before they went and wandered around the Iranian border…of all godawful places to go. IDIOTS. Yes, take them back. Fools.

      Report Post »  
    • Pelling1020
      Posted on October 4, 2011 at 10:07pm

      Raininseattle,

      I want to know where the $1,500,000 ransom came from. Who paid?

      Report Post »  
  • Todd P
    Posted on October 4, 2011 at 2:02pm

    The photos do not lie. Obama was there speaking for the NBP. This news is HUGE, but it took Juan Williams to report it? Really? Thank God Andrew Brietbart has the guts to publish the photos. I wonder when (if) THE BLAZE will catch up?

    Report Post »  
  • Steelhead
    Posted on October 4, 2011 at 1:59pm

    Obama marching with 1000′s of others – yes the Black Panthers too- commemorating the Selma marches. OMG you blazers are daft

    Report Post » Steelhead  
    • RedheadedStepchild
      Posted on October 4, 2011 at 4:37pm

      Yes, many of the ‘blazers’ do jump at any connection Obama may have with radical elements like the Black Panthers – even when it is a stretch. Why? Some…just blind hate? Yep. Why? Cause he is black…nope (at least the ones that I know). Cause he is a blazing Marxist –all of his policies, history and words lead to that conclusion. And when you have Black Panthers spouting Marxist philosophies- and Obama hob knobbing with people that just love the Black Panthers and think they are good for the country…then the connection doesn’t seem so farfetched – pictures or no pictures. And it is a fact that the charges against the Black Panthers for voter intimidation were mysteriously dropped – even when there was video showing them doing so… Why wouldn’t blazers think there is more of a connection than there is?

      Report Post »  
    • mlcblog
      Posted on October 5, 2011 at 2:06am

      Daft? when they have hard evidence? I don’t think so. Reason I believe it: I am only too familiar with the commie tactics of Obummer and his friends, and this is just too believable. They are in bed with each other and always have been. Now we have a photo that shows it.

      Report Post » mlcblog  
  • thegreatcarnac
    Posted on October 4, 2011 at 1:51pm

    You are right. Obama DID meet and march with the black panthers. It is what I have been ranting about all of this time. Obama is a racist and anti-white. Holder (DOJ head) is a racist and anti-white. Holder did nothing to the black panthers who stood with a nightstick at the voting polls and tried to discourage white people from voting by just being there. The US government is racist against white people. More so now since the obama regime took power.

    Report Post »  
  • CatB
    Posted on October 4, 2011 at 1:47pm

    @STEELHEAD ..

    The photos don’t lie … !

    TEA!

    Report Post »  
  • Anonymous T. Irrelevant
    Posted on October 4, 2011 at 1:46pm

    Iran says WE are the hostile country? Send Omid back here, we’ll keep the smart ones.

    Report Post » Anonymous T. Irrelevant  
  • Rob_M
    Posted on October 4, 2011 at 1:41pm

    I think everyone needs to understand a few simple rules about Iran.

    1. Never go there, EVER! Don’t even get near it.

    2. If you get out, NEVER go back.

    Report Post » Rob_M  
  • drphil69
    Posted on October 4, 2011 at 1:39pm

    Here is a lesson for all Iranians – if you are able to get out of that country – DON’T GO BACK!

    Report Post »  
    • motonutt
      Posted on October 4, 2011 at 2:32pm

      DITTOS…. It sucks, it’s not right, but that’s the way it is. I also wonder about his family, what are they doing to them. It‘s to bad our child presedent didn’t do something when we had the chance.

      Report Post » motonutt  
    • mlcblog
      Posted on October 5, 2011 at 2:03am

      Sad, but true in many cases.

      Report Post » mlcblog  
  • Steelhead
    Posted on October 4, 2011 at 1:39pm

    Breitbart is a lying idiot- the Management

    Report Post » Steelhead  
    • 13th Imam
      Posted on October 4, 2011 at 2:46pm

      If that’s Rustheads opinion Breitbart must be dead on.

      Report Post » 13th Imam  
    • M13
      Posted on October 4, 2011 at 3:01pm

      He just didn’t understand the question.

      Report Post »  
    • mlcblog
      Posted on October 5, 2011 at 2:04am

      What are you talking about?

      Report Post » mlcblog  

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