Abram Pili Describes Elaheh Tavakolian's 'Shocking Story' as Reflecting the 'Shameful Approach' of the Islamic Republic Towards Protesters

Abram Pili, the Deputy Special Representative of the U.S. Department of State for Iran, announced on Friday, August 24, that he met with Elaheh Tavakolian, an eye-injured protester from the nationwide protests of 2022. This Biden administration diplomat wrote on social media platform X: 'I was honored to meet with Elaheh Tavakolian, a brave advocate for the people of Iran despite losing her eyesight at the hands of the Iranian regime.' According to Pili, 'her shocking story highlights the regime's shameful practice of deliberately blinding protesters by targeting their eyes.' The U.S. Deputy Special Representative for Iran further stated: 'We will continue to stand with the people of Iran and support efforts to hold the regime accountable, including through the work of the UN Special Rapporteur and the mission of the fact-finding committee' to raise awareness about 'these regrettable human rights violations.' Ms. Tavakolian, in an interview with VOA, said that during her meeting with this American diplomat, they discussed many topics, especially eye injury victims, and she informed Mr. Pili about the deliberate and direct shootings at the eyes of protesters. Siamak Aram, a university professor and political activist who was also present at this meeting, stated in an interview with VOA that topics such as the holding of elections in the Islamic Republic in the U.S., sanctions, and eye injury victims were discussed and exchanged in this and previous sessions. Targeting the eyes of protesters by the agents of the Islamic Republic is among the methods of suppressing protests in recent years. Following the nationwide protests of 2022 over the death of Mahsa (Zhina) Amini in the custody of the morality police, hundreds of protesters lost one or both eyes due to the deliberate shooting by government agents. According to reports from human rights organizations and international media, at least about 600 protesters were shot in the eyes by the Islamic Republic's agents last year. Matin Hassani, an eye-injured protester, reported the execution of his prison sentence. Kowsar Eftekhari, an eye-injured protester, stated: 'Death to the Islamic Republic.' Kowsar Eftekhari's message as an eye-injured protester of the 'Women, Life, Freedom' uprising for the commemoration of the Iranian women's movement. Saman, an eye-injured protester, stated: 'We are happy about the implementation of even a bit of justice.' Matin Hassani, an eye-injured protester, was sentenced to 31 months in prison. Amir Shah-Valayi, an eye-injured protester, was summoned to court again. Reza Izati, an eye-injured protester, is still involved in a 'prolonged litigation' against the agents.