Attack on Javad Heydari's Family on the Anniversary of His Death; Increased Pressure on Families Seeking Justice

On Thursday, September 21, government forces of the Islamic Republic attacked the family of Javad Heydari in the lead-up to the anniversary of his death during last year's protests, injuring several family members. Fatemeh Heydari, Javad's sister, stated that security agents attacked her family with 'live ammunition' on the anniversary of her brother's death. She warned, citing an acquaintance who managed to escape from their village, that internet and other communication methods have been cut off, creating a 'humanitarian disaster.' Expressing concern that the Islamic Republic agents intend to kill her family after having killed her brother, she called for immediate support for her family. Videos show children and women screaming in response to the attack by the Islamic Republic's security forces. In other videos shared on social media, two children from the Heydari family are seen being beaten and attacked with tear gas. Voice of America cannot independently verify all these accounts. Fatemeh Heydari also published another photo of two young family members whose faces have been severely injured and affected by tear gas. She accused the Islamic Republic of 'taking her family hostage' and expressed concern about what might happen to them due to the internet blackout in their village. Meanwhile, Fatemeh Heydari had reported the arrest of her brother and some relatives the previous day, aimed at 'increasing pressure on the family to prevent the anniversary ceremony' for her brother. This member of the families seeking justice emphasized that they have 'no fear' of the government's 'mercenaries.' September 30 and October 1 mark the anniversary of the deaths of over 40 Iranian protesters against the killing of Mahsa (Zhina) Amini while in the custody of the morality police. In recent weeks, the Islamic Republic has increased pressure and arrested many members of the families of victims and those seeking justice, attempting to prevent them from holding memorial ceremonies. Javad Heydari was shot by security agents of the Islamic Republic near Mellat Park in Qazvin during protests against Mahsa's death on September 21 last year and died hours later. During the fortieth-day memorial for Javad on November 3 last year, dozens of villagers from Rahmatabad-e Bozorg Dashtabi were arrested for participating. The intensification of pressure on families seeking justice and the continued detention of citizens is part of the Islamic Republic's efforts to prevent memorial ceremonies for the victims of protests. At least 70 individuals have been arrested. The U.S. representative for Iran stated that the pressure on the families of victims is an attempt by the Islamic Republic to instill fear. The pressure on those seeking justice has intensified ahead of the anniversary of Mahsa Amini; Farhad Zareh has also been arrested. The government is confronting those seeking justice; Fatemeh Heydari stated that they are being pressured to 'keep quiet' as the anniversary of her brother approaches. A joint statement from families seeking justice, amid summons and pressures, declared: 'You cannot make us stateless.'