Farzad Badpa, Former Caretaker of Shahcheragh, Sent to Paris Olympics

Farzad Badpa, the former caretaker of the Shahcheragh shrine, who has been referred to as the 'Hero of Shahcheragh' by Iranian state media, has been dispatched as a member of Iran's sports delegation to Paris. In a list published by the National Olympic Committee of Iran, Badpa's name appears in the 'Security Committee' as a member of 'Protection and Security.' He is being sent to the Olympics while other countries are represented by sports specialists and researchers. Iranian media reported that on August 13, 2023, during an attack on Shahcheragh, he 'neutralized a Daesh force.' On that day, armed assailants attacked this religious site in Shiraz for the second time in less than a year, resulting in at least one death and seven injuries. Previously, in November 2022, a separate attack on Shahcheragh left at least 13 dead and 20 injured, according to official statistics. Badpa, who was a service worker at the Shahcheragh shrine before the August incident, was immediately hired by the organization. He told reporters, 'I looked at the dome of the shrine and felt reassured; I felt someone pushed me from behind and said to move. I was sure the hand of the Imam was behind me.' Following this incident, by order of Ebrahim Raisi, a piece of land was allocated to Badpa 'out of turn and free of charge' for the construction of a residential unit in Shiraz. The Islamic Consultative Assembly also hosted him, and Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, the Speaker of the Assembly, praised Badpa in a public session. Hossein Salami, the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, issued an order for his recruitment into the IRGC on August 19, in addition to a 'reward' of a family trip to Karbala. Furthermore, a plaque and a dagger insignia were presented to him by senior commanders of the Islamic Republic's army in Fars. The Army's Medal of Sacrifice was also awarded to him by Admiral Habibullah Sayyari. However, he told the Young Journalists Club, 'Heroes should be treated heroically, not just verbally. Many think I have been given a house and land, while I was only given a piece of land in the Afifabad Garden in Shiraz in the presence of the Minister of Roads and the Vice President.' The Honor Medal from the Bodybuilding Federation and a wrestling singlet from Hassan Yazdani, who has nine world and Olympic medals in freestyle wrestling, are among the various gifts Badpa has received in different honors. Additionally, the Ministry of Culture awarded him the 'Freedom' insignia. The governor of Fars and the Executive Headquarters of Imam Khomeini's Order were also among those who honored him. The Bar Association and Judicial Experts Center introduced him as an honorary member. The difference in the trip to France compared to the numerous honors Badpa has received so far is the media silence. In all previous instances, photos and reports of the honors were published in news agencies.