Sister of Justice-Seeker Javad Heydari: My Family Has Been Taken 'Hostage' to Fabricate Reality

Fatemeh Heydari, sister of Javad Heydari, one of the victims of the Mahsa (Zhina) protests, reported on Saturday, September 23, the continued detention of her father and brothers by the Islamic Republic. She shared a composite image of the security forces' attack on her father's home and the injured family members due to the assault with 'bullets and tear gas,' accusing them of using tear gas even on her two-year-old nephew, which led to her mother's hospitalization. Fatemeh Heydari further accused the Islamic Republic officials of attempting to 'fabricate realities' by 'holding hostage' her father and brothers in detention. Earlier, she had announced that her brother Morteza was transferred to a detention center after being discharged from the hospital and that he is still on a hunger strike. On Thursday, September 21, the Islamic Republic's security forces attacked Javad Heydari's family, injuring several members in anticipation of the anniversary of Javad's death during last year's protests. Fatemeh Heydari stated that the security forces attacked her family with 'live ammunition' on the anniversary of her brother's death. She warned, citing an acquaintance who managed to escape from their village, that they have cut off the internet and other communication channels, creating a 'humanitarian disaster.' Concerned that the Islamic Republic's agents intend to kill her family after her brother's death, she called for immediate support for her family. In videos shared on social media, children and women can be seen screaming in response to the police's assault. In other videos, two children from the Heydari family are seen being injured and attacked with tear gas. Voice of America cannot independently verify all these claims and related narratives. Fatemeh Heydari also shared another photo of two young family members whose faces have been severely injured and affected by tear gas. She expressed her concern over the 'hostage-taking' of her family by the Islamic Republic and the internet blackout in their village, stating she does not know 'what will happen to my family.' Meanwhile, a day earlier, Fatemeh Heydari reported the detention of her brother and some relatives aimed at 'increasing pressure on the family to prevent the anniversary ceremony' for her brother. This justice-seeking family member emphasized that they have 'no fear' of the government's 'mercenaries.' On September 30 and October 1, the anniversary of the deaths of over 40 Iranian protesters against the killing of Mahsa (Zhina) Amini in police custody occurred. In recent weeks, the Islamic Republic has intensified pressure and detention of many families of victims and justice-seekers to prevent them from holding anniversary ceremonies. Javad Heydari was shot by the Islamic Republic's security forces on September 21 last year during protests against Mahsa's death near Milad Park in Qazvin and died hours later. During the fortieth memorial for Javad on November 3 last year, dozens of villagers from Rahmatabad-e Bozorg Dashtabi were arrested for participating. The intensification of pressure on justice-seeking families and the continued detention of citizens is part of the Islamic Republic's efforts to prevent the holding of memorial ceremonies for the victims of protests. At least 70 people have been detained in the ongoing pressure on the families of protest victims. The U.S. representative for Iran stated that the pressure on the families of victims is the Islamic Republic's attempt to instill fear. The pressure on justice-seekers has intensified ahead of the anniversary of Mahsa Amini; Farhad Zareh has also been detained. The government's confrontation with justice-seekers continues; Fatemeh Heydari stated, 'As the anniversary of my brother approaches, you are pressuring us to silence us.' A joint statement from justice-seeking families, coinciding with summons and pressures, stated: 'You cannot make us stateless.'