Fatemeh Sepehri's Response to Threats: If Khamenei Exploits the 'Martyrs', I Will Not Remain Silent

Fatemeh Sepehri's brother states that the health condition of this political prisoner is 'very, very critical', but in response to threats from judicial officials, she has said that if Khamenei exploits the 'martyrs', she will not remain silent and will 'come out of her shame'. Mohammad Hossein Sepehri, an opponent of the Islamic Republic who has recently been released from prison, explained in a video on Tuesday, July 20, that he had a cabinet meeting with his sister and learned that 'severe restrictions' had been imposed on her by the prison. According to him, Fatemeh Sepehri's health is 'very, very critical', and despite the medical staff's efforts, 'no improvement has occurred; the pain is beyond human tolerance and has also spread to her right hand.' Mohammad Hossein Sepehri, one of the signatories of the '14 Statement' for transitioning away from the Islamic Republic and for Khamenei's resignation, explained that on Monday, his sister was transferred from prison to the hospital, and 'Dr. Moradi' ordered an emergency ultrasound and X-ray after examining her, but as long as Fatemeh Sepehri remains in the prison environment with all that stress, there is no possibility of treatment despite all these efforts. He also emphasized that on July 17, a staff member from Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad informed him of the 'decision of the prison disciplinary council', which stated that if any minor statement from her is published in any area, 'her phone will be cut off.' According to him, Fatemeh Sepehri responded that Khamenei sentenced her to 10 years in prison on the false charge of collaborating with hostile governments, but 'he is not willing to come and say which hostile governments are involved and what cooperation I have done.' Fatemeh Sepehri also emphasized that Khamenei 'has cut off my rights and insurance' and told the prison guard, 'Now you want to cut off my phone too, that's fine; I will try not to say anything as much as possible, but in one case, it is impossible, and that is when the leader of the Islamic Republic comments on the martyrs and the dignity of the martyr's families.' According to Mohammad Hossein Sepehri, this political prisoner 'has emphasized that if I see Khamenei somehow stealing the credibility of the martyrs and taking credit from the graves of the defenders of the homeland for himself, it is better to remain silent; otherwise, I will definitely come out of my shame.' Fatemeh Sepehri, on July 5, in response to Khamenei's meeting with 'the families of the martyrs', stated that the Islamic Republic has oppressed the families of the martyrs for 45 years by exploiting 'the blood of the martyrs.' She, who is also the wife of one of the casualties of the Iran-Iraq war and a 'martyr's wife', emphasized that she has been imprisoned 'to save Iran.' Fatemeh Sepehri's left hand has undergone surgery three times since last year, and her family says that the prison conditions do not allow for her recovery process. Fatemeh Sepehri, a political activist opposing the Iranian government and a signatory of the request for Khamenei's resignation, was sentenced to 18 years in prison in Mashhad during her last arrest last year. The Islamic Republic has always detained and imprisoned opponents and critics of the government on vague charges such as 'propaganda against the regime', 'acting against national security', and 'collaborating with hostile governments.' Fatemeh Sepehri is a political activist opposing the Islamic Republic in Iran who, a day before her last arrest on September 20, 2022, told Voice of America that the people do not want the Islamic Republic and this time they will finish the job.