“Saberi’s charge of spying for the US is criticized because the evidence is not disclosed and the trial is held in secret. Buddhi’s charge of threatening to kill President Bush and others has no evidence at all and all the charges are fundamentally flawed,” the letter reads. The prosecution failed to establish beyond reasonable doubt that those Internet messages were really posted from Buddhi’s computer, it said.

The letter urges President Obama to give due attention to the Buddhi’s case, as much as Saberi’s if not more. “The miscarriage of justice in Buddhi’s case needs redress restoring his freedom and dignity with the opportunity to continue his bright academic career,” it says.

Buddhi, a Navi Mumbai resident who went to study applied mathematics at Purdue University was arrested on April 14, 2006, and charged on 11 counts including charges under US Code 871 that deals with threats to the US president and his successor.