Arrest of Two Perpetrators of Acid Attack on Hospital Director in Tehran

The commander of the Greater Tehran Police announced the arrest of "a doctor and a student" as the "two perpetrators" of the acid attack on Dr. Siavash Anvari, the director of Ziaiian Hospital in Tehran. Hossein Sajjadi Nia stated in an interview with the state news agency IRNA on Sunday night, December 9, that based on the investigations conducted, the primary suspect in the acid attack is "a doctor" and the second suspect is also "a student." Sajjadi Nia mentioned that the motive behind the acid attack was a "professional issue." He emphasized: "Based on technical and police actions taken, the two main perpetrators of the acid attack on the director of Ziaiian Hospital in Tehran were arrested within less than 24 hours of the incident occurring." The Ministry of Health's news and information base also reported that "according to existing evidence, personal revenge was the main reason for this individual's action, and his accomplice is a close associate of the attacker and an undergraduate student." This source added that "the previous history of inappropriate behavior of the arrested individual led to his suspension from the faculty membership." According to reports, Dr. Siamand Anvari, the director of Ziaiian Hospital in Tehran, was attacked with acid by two motorcycle riders around 9 PM on Saturday, December 8, while returning home and was hospitalized at Farabi Hospital. Hassan Hashemi, the Minister of Health, reported on Sunday, December 9, that Mr. Anvari's right eye is "fine" and his left eye underwent surgery on Saturday night. Hashemi stated that part of the body and face of the director of Ziaiian Hospital in Tehran suffered burns. Mr. Anvari also mentioned on Sunday, December 9, that the surgery on his left eye was "successful and fruitful" and that the pain in his skin has also subsided. According to Fars News Agency, he expressed regarding the perpetrators of this acid attack: "I wish God forgives them; I hold no grudge against anyone and have no complaints even if I know who they are." The acid attack on the hospital director in Tehran occurs amid widespread reports in recent weeks regarding acid attacks on women in Isfahan and similar attacks in Tehran. Last week, the commander of Greater Tehran Police stated that the "main perpetrator" of an acid attack on a young woman in eastern Tehran has been arrested. Over 40 days after the first news of the serial acid attacks in Isfahan was published, the perpetrator or perpetrators of this action have still not been arrested, while Mahdieh Golroo, a member of the Women's Citizenship Association and a participant in the protest against the acid attacks in Isfahan, remains in custody. The commander of the Islamic Republic's police has reported that since the beginning of this year, there have been "318 cases of acid attacks" in Iran.