Tabarzadi Letter to Khamenei

Thursday, 29th November, in response to yet another threat against the safety and security of his family, prominent activist Heshmatallah Tabarzadi penned an open letter about the current situation in Iran.

In it, he included messages for the security and police forces, the clergy, and the general population.

Considering Mr Tabarzadi's political history, including several periods of incarceration, his decision to speak out in such vehement terms is an amazingly courageous step, and it is obvious he realises the risks.

The letter describes some of the threats Mr Tabarzadi and his family have been subjected to, and also features news of another female rape victim, a married woman with children, who is seeking asylum having escaped to Turkey from Iran.

Perhaps the most surprising revelation made is the change in the attitude of Mr Tabarzadi's wife, a peaceful and devoutly religious woman, who has come to the realization that people are now living in fear of their religious leaders, and that they have to be removed. This is a monumental change of opinion from a devout Muslim woman.

But certainly the most shocking statement is Mr Tabarzadi's message to those among the ranks fo the security forces who he singles out from the majority of decent people. He tells them in plain terms that if they wish to molest and frighten his daughter again, they should go to their usual extremes, and he will still proudly recover her battered body from the road where they dump it.

Without remorse, he informs these thugs that they can sever the heads and abuse the bodies of his entire family, and he will still fight them with his last breath.

We are all extremely concerned for the safety of Mr Tabrizi and his family. He displays no fear. He fully intends to march alongside the students who traditionally gather on 16 Azar (7th December) at Tehran University. Tabarzadi calls for support from everyone in Iran, in all cities, to ride or walk in unity that day.

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