Reza Mohammadi from Prison: The 'Regime' Fears the Laughter of Children and the Embrace of Mothers

Reza Mohammadi, a political prisoner, in two separate messages received by Voice of America, praised the courage and resilience of Iranian women on the eve of International Women's Day, while commemorating the death of Youssef Shahlibar and honoring 'the innocent children who fell victim to the Islamic Republic.' In one of these messages, Mr. Mohammadi, who is imprisoned in Qazalhasar prison, emphasized that 'the voices of women who have been imprisoned for their beliefs, defense of truth, and love for their homeland have not been silenced.' He mentioned several political prisoners, including Nahid Shirpich, Fatemeh Sepahri, Shakila Monfared, and Mahbubeh Rezaei, referring to 'dozens of other women' who 'pay the price of freedom with chains and shackles' and 'are the light of hope for a nation in the darkness of prison.' Mr. Mohammadi also referred to several mothers of victims, including Gohar Eshghi, Shahnaz Akmali, Akram Naqabi, and Sakineh Ahmadi, stating that although they have 'entrusted their hearts to the grief of their children, they have not remained silent' and have raised their voices for justice against 'threats, intimidation, and repression.' He pointed out mothers of political prisoners, especially those at risk of execution, who 'ask the world not to forget their children' and said these women in Iran are the 'loud voice of truth' that 'will make freedom possible with their courage.' In another message titled 'For Youssef and the Youssefs,' he spoke of 'innocent children' who 'fell victim to the Islamic Republic,' adding that 'Youssef Shahlibar was only five years old' when he was killed on March 7 in Sistan and Baluchestan 'by the bullets of the criminal agents of the Islamic Republic,' and 'his mother, Maryam Shahlibar, was injured by the same agents' bullets, and another child she was carrying was also lost before birth.' Mr. Mohammadi recalled other instances of children being killed by the Islamic Republic's forces, stating, 'The bullets of this regime pierced the small heart of Kian Pirfalak. They took the breath of Nikta Esfandani. They silenced the laughter of Sarina and Abolfazl. They even set fire to children who boarded the Ukrainian plane with small and big dreams in the sky.' He emphasized that 'a regime that fears the laughter of children, is terrified of the embrace of mothers, fears the innocence in the eyes of a five-year-old child, and takes revenge on 'life' will forever be known in history as a 'child-killer.' Reza Mohammadi stated that these children are 'the motivation for the struggle,' saying, 'We will remember your names' and 'we will fight for the day when true justice prevails in this land.'