Prince Reza Pahlavi Honors the 'Resistance and Perseverance' of Families of Victims Opposing the Islamic Republic

On Tuesday, September 10, Prince Reza Pahlavi commemorated the birthday of Pouya Bakhtiari, one of the victims of recent anti-government protests in Iran, referring to the slain opponents of the Islamic Republic as 'immortal names of the national revolution of Iran' and expressing gratitude for the 'proud resistance and perseverance' of their families. He wrote on social media: 'The birthday of the immortal heroes of the homeland, such as Pouya Bakhtiari, is an opportunity to once again emphasize the covenant we have made with them and to make their noble goals and patriotic determination our guiding principle.' Prince Reza Pahlavi added: 'Pouya Bakhtiari, who sacrificed his precious life for the freedom of Iran, was raised by a noble, brave, and aware mother and father, learning the lessons of courage and love for the homeland from them. On the birthday of the immortal Pouya, we once again pledge with him and all the martyrs of the homeland that we will continue their path.' He also acknowledged the families who are imprisoned for seeking justice for their loved ones, stating: 'On this esteemed day, we also honor the proud resistance and perseverance of the families of the immortal names of the national revolution of Iran, especially the imprisoned seekers of justice: Nahid Shirpichesh, Monouchehr and Mehrdad Bakhtiari, Mashallah Karami, Ali Adinehzadeh, and Kamal Lotfi.' Pouya Bakhtiari was born on September 10, 1992, and was shot in the skull by government agents during the protests of November 2019 in Mehrshahr, Karaj. Monouchehr Bakhtiari, Pouya's father, was sentenced to three and a half years in prison for allegedly launching an international campaign for 'justice for his son and all the martyrs' during the forty years of the Islamic Republic's rule. The Islamic Republic also arrested Nahid Shirpichesh, Pouya's mother, on July 9, 2022, accusing her of having connections with a 'foreign intelligence service' and imprisoned her. In August 2023, Mehrad, Pouya's uncle, was arrested for protesting against the pressures imposed by the Islamic Republic on his family. As the pressure from the Islamic Republic on the families seeking justice continues, 77 members of these families issued a statement on September 5, demanding 'the immediate and unconditional release' of the detained seekers of justice, 'the initiation of cases' for the martyrs, and 'urgent follow-up' by international bodies regarding the Islamic Republic's treatment of the seekers of justice. The increasing pressure and harassment of the families of the martyrs of public protests in Iran by the security and judicial institutions of the Islamic Republic have consistently been criticized by U.S. officials and human rights organizations.