HSPH alum freed from Iranian prison, thanks supporters

Kamiar Alaei, who received a master of science degree from HSPH in 2007, thanked David Bloom, chair, Department of Global Health and Population at HSPH, and the Physicians for Human Rights organization for working for his freedom from an Iranian prison, a Boston Globe June 17, 2011, article reports. Alaei’s first public remarks since gaining his freedom last October were made at a Washington, D.C., ceremony where he received the prestigious Global Health Council Prize.

Alaei and his brother, Arash Alaei, who remains imprisoned, were arrested in 2008 by the Iranian government for their AIDS prevention work.

“No prison walls can break the spirit of a human being with a cause,” Kamiar Alaei said at the award ceremony.