Reporters Without Borders: The Government is Responsible for Kianoush Sanjari's Death

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) reacted to the death of Kianoush Sanjari, a civil activist and former Voice of America journalist, who protested the conditions of political prisoners in Iran, expressing condolences to his family and holding the Islamic Republic authorities responsible for the circumstances leading to this 'tragedy.' In a statement released on Friday, November 25, the organization noted that Mr. Sanjari faced continuous harassment from Islamic Republic officials even when he was not behind bars. RSF stated that Kianoush Sanjari's health deteriorated severely due to the torture he endured during his imprisonment and years of threats and intimidation from the Islamic Republic. Jonathan Dagher, head of the Middle East desk at RSF, said, 'Kianoush Sanjari's death was a tragedy that could have been prevented.' The organization also called for an independent investigation into Sanjari's death and emphasized that the Iranian authorities are to blame for the ongoing pressure on journalists in Iran, which ultimately led to Sanjari's death. RSF pointed out that the Islamic Republic has made Iran one of the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists. The organization reported that to date, 25 journalists are imprisoned for their work, and Iranian journalists, including those not behind bars or in exile, face constant threats of imprisonment or violence. Kianoush Sanjari, in one of his last posts on social media, called for the release of Fatemeh Sepahri, Arasham Rezaei, Toumaj Salehi, and Nasrin Shakeri, stating that if news of their release was not published on the Islamic Republic's judiciary website by 7 PM on Wednesday, November 23, 1403, he would end his life. This decision by the civil activist and former Voice of America journalist sparked widespread reactions from political, civil, and cultural activists who held the Islamic Republic responsible for this incident. A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department emphasized in a written statement to Voice of America that the Islamic Republic must end its repression of critics and human rights activists. Several civil activists also released a statement on Friday holding the Islamic Republic responsible for Kianoush Sanjari's death, announcing that they are 'carefully examining the circumstances surrounding the end of their fallen comrade's life.' Kianoush Sanjari's funeral was held under heavy security measures. Commemorating Kianoush Sanjari's memory in front of the Canadian Parliament, Pili stated that Sanjari's death reflects the 'brutality' of the Islamic Republic. Exclusive eyewitness accounts reported violence from officials during Sanjari's funeral. Civil activists reiterated that the Islamic Republic is responsible for Kianoush Sanjari's death, and government forces prevented people from attending his funeral. Reactions to Kianoush Sanjari's death served as an indictment against the Islamic Republic, highlighting the high price of suicide imposed on a former Voice of America colleague by the Islamic Republic.