Saba and Mona Bakhtiari Urge People to Be the Voice of Mehrdad Bakhtiari in Solitary Confinement

Saba and Mona Bakhtiari, the sister and niece of Mehrdad Bakhtiari, called on the people of Iran on Wednesday, December 26, to be the voice of this political prisoner who has now been transferred to solitary confinement in prison and is on a hunger strike. Saba Bakhtiari posted on X: "Mehrdad has been on hunger strike for five days. My brother has bravely stood up for the rights of his fellow inmate and has gone on a hunger strike, leading to his transfer to solitary confinement." She stated that "no boycott can silence the voice of courage, justice-seeking, and the desire for freedom," adding: "The Bakhtiari family has sacrificed their lives, wealth, and everything for Iran in the fight against the Islamic Republic for years, and everyone must know that the voices of the brave fighters of the homeland cannot be silenced." At the same time, Mona Bakhtiari, the daughter of Manoochehr and niece of Mehrdad Bakhtiari, also shared a photo of her uncle at Saadabad Palace next to the statue of Reza Shah Pahlavi's boots, writing: "Be the voice of my uncle Mehrdad Bakhtiari, who was the voice of the people of Iran." Mehrdad Bakhtiari was arrested on August 8, 2024, following an attack by numerous armed agents of the Islamic Republic on his home, using violence and "beating and injuring," and was transferred to Karaj Central Prison. On March 3, 2024, Mehrdad Bakhtiari, the uncle of Pouya Bakhtiari, a victim of the 2019 protests, announced in a post on X about his six-year prison sentence and two-year travel ban, stating: "I have been accused by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Karaj of propaganda against the regime and conspiracy against national security, and in addition to the above sentences, I have also been sentenced to two years of exile to Shahrekord." Manoochehr Bakhtiari, the father of Pouya and brother of Mehrdad Bakhtiari, is also imprisoned and has been returned to prison from the hospital despite suffering a heart attack after late surgery and needing urgent medical care. Abram Paley, the Deputy Special Representative for Iran at the U.S. State Department, called for the release of Manoochehr Bakhtiari, his father, on November 17, coinciding with the anniversary of Pouya Bakhtiari's death. The U.S. State Department has also called for the release of Manoochehr Bakhtiari. The hunger strike of Mehrdad Bakhtiari and Siamak Nasiri followed their transfer to solitary confinement. New restrictions have been imposed on Fatemeh Sepahri, depriving her of outdoor access. Manoochehr Bakhtiari was returned to prison against doctors' orders. Manoochehr Bakhtiari suffered a heart attack while in hospital custody. He was transferred from prison to hospital after the end of a hunger strike.