amfAR Urges Iran to Release Missing HIV/AIDS Doctors

CEO of amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, calls the reported detention
of two Iranian doctors known for their pioneering work on HIV/AIDS "extremely
troubling."

NEW YORK, Aug. 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Kevin Robert Frost, CEO of amfAR,
The Foundation for AIDS Research, expressed deep concern today over the
reported detention by the Iranian government of two Iranian doctors known for
their pioneering work on HIV/AIDS.

Frost called the detainment of the two brothers Arash and Kamiar Alaei,
"extremely troubling," and called for the release of the two men, who were
apparently arrested at the end of June.

"What we are talking about here are two prominent, apolitical HIV/AIDS
physicians who are internationally recognized for their humanitarian efforts
and work to improve public health," Frost said. "It is of special concern
that these two doctors, whose whereabouts remain unknown, disappeared prior to
the International AIDS Conference (IAC) in Mexico City, where they were
scheduled to speak about Iran's HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment programs."

Frost said he is appealing to the Iranian government to disclose the
whereabouts of Arash and Kamiar Alaei and to release them immediately so they
can return to their lifesaving work. "Arash and Kamiar were sorely missed at
the International AIDS Conference, and their absence is a striking reminder of
the ongoing difficulties faced by people who are actively fighting HIV/AIDS in
many parts of the world," Frost said.

Dr. Adeeba Kamarulzaman, committee chair of amfAR's TREAT Asia program, who
established the Infectious Diseases Unit at the University of Malaya Medical
Centre (UMMC), also called for the release of the two doctors while speaking
this morning at the IAC.

"As a Muslim woman, I call on the Iranian government to release these brothers
and allow them to continue their vital work," Dr. Kamarulzaman said.

The International AIDS Conference, held every two years, is considered by many
to be the most valuable opportunity for the presentation of important new
scientific research and for productive, structured dialogue on the major
challenges facing the global response to AIDS.

About amfAR
amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, is one of the world's leading
nonprofit organizations dedicated to the support of AIDS research, HIV/AIDS
prevention, treatment education, and the advocacy of sound AIDS-related public
policy. Since 1985, amfAR has invested nearly $275 million in its programs and
has awarded grants to more than 2,000 research teams worldwide. For more
information about amfAR, visit www.amfar.org.

SOURCE American Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR)

MEXICO CITY: Jonathan Baum of Global Health Strategies, +1-917-400-8397,
+52-55-19-12-00-24, jbaum@ghstrat.com; or NEW YORK: Donald Kaplan, Director of
Communications of amfAR, +1-212-806-1602, +1-917-435-8730,
donald.kaplan@amfar.org