Saba Bakhtiari to Voice of America: My Brother Only Sought Justice; The Nation's Struggle Against the Islamic Republic Continues

Saba Bakhtiari, sister of Manoochehr Bakhtiari, reacted to the fabricated case against this justice-seeking prisoner and the issuance of an 18-year prison sentence and 74 lashes, stating to Voice of America that he has done nothing but seek justice for his son and for the land of Iran, and that 'our struggle as a nation' against the Islamic Republic continues without fear of imprisonment. On Wednesday, January 10, in an interview with Voice of America, she said that while only a few months remain until the end of Manoochehr Bakhtiari's current prison sentence, a new 'fabricated case' has led to an 18-year prison sentence and 74 lashes being issued through a 'one-sided court' via video conference, without the presence of a lawyer or the right to defense. Saba Bakhtiari announced that this ruling was issued on January 3 and communicated to the prison, adding: 'Although he has been in prison for nearly four years, they have issued a new and very heavy sentence against him. Most of the accusations against Manoochehr Bakhtiari are the same accusations for which he was tried three and a half years ago, resulting in a definitive sentence of three years and six months in prison, a two-year exit ban from the country, and two years of exile outside Tehran and Karaj.' According to Saba Bakhtiari, the father of justice-seeker Pouya Bakhtiari has been 'in solitary confinement all these years' and 'spent two years in exile in Qazvin prison, but now in the new case, they have accused him of forming a group.' She emphasized: 'What group formation? We are left speechless. The audacity of the Islamic Republic has truly exceeded all limits. How can someone who is in prison form a group? And based on what evidence are these accusations made? Who are the members of this group? What documents have they provided? What court have they established to make such accusations? A one-sided court via video conference where they themselves have made the accusations, did not allow for a defense, and there was no presence of a lawyer, they made the accusations and issued the ruling themselves?' Saba Bakhtiari stated that he has been accused of 'acting against national security,' adding: 'What national security? Do we have security in Iran? Why is my brother in prison? Because the Islamic Republic killed his son. What security are you talking about? The security that you use weapons against the people? How is it possible to fabricate a new case for someone who has been in prison for nearly four years and issue a new sentence?' Saba Bakhtiari also mentioned: 'Manoochehr Bakhtiari is a justice-seeker. When he was outside of prison, he was neither part of a group nor a party. He has never engaged in any specific activity with any political group and has only sought justice for his son and for the land and soil of Iran.' Describing Manoochehr Bakhtiari's physical condition and illnesses including 'severe digestive problems, perforated intestine, and hernia,' she stated that this justice-seeking prisoner must undergo surgery immediately according to the forensic medical ruling, but despite 'requesting bail and bringing it, the prosecutor opposed it without providing a reason and did not sign.' Saba Bakhtiari said, 'They kill the child and imprison the father and mother,' and 'then they talk about justice and national security; this act of the Islamic Republic is nothing but audacity.' She also spoke about Nahid Shirpich, the mother of Pouya Bakhtiari, who is in prison, stating that she has been sentenced to five and a half years in prison and they do not know what new cases might be fabricated against her. The aunt of Pouya Bakhtiari, a young man who was killed by the Islamic Republic's forces during the suppression of the November 2019 protests, emphasized in an interview with Voice of America: 'Our message to the Islamic Republic is that this is not the end of the road. You may have the power now. You have the weapons. But this is not the end of the road. We are not afraid of your prison. We will not back down. This is our struggle as a nation against you, and it continues.' Saba Bakhtiari emphasized that 'my brother has committed no crime,' stating that 'his only crime has been to ask why you smashed and killed his son who came to the street for a simple protest.' This member of the Bakhtiari family seeking justice also stated that the Islamic Republic 'is regressing more and more every day,' adding: 'I hope the world looks and sees the crimes you are committing. I hope the world wants to inquire about the conditions of political prisoners.'