Why is it important to talk about suspicious death of Sarah Tabrizi and other victims who have died in a similar way?
It is a known fact that living under the dictatorship of Islamic Regime of Iran, it means fighting for Woman-Life-Freedom on a daily basis. Sarah Tabrizi is a young woman who would have lived her best years if she was living anywhere else other than Iran.
It is important to talk about the current gender apartheid that are systematically happening under the current Regime in Iran. These systematic crimes are happening under the umbrella of the judiciary system as this system is protected with no accountability for any crimes they commit. These crimes are one of Regime’s strategies used to induce public fear across the board.
Sarah Tabrizi, a 20-year old; whose dead body was found at her parent’s house, a day after she was summoned to go to the Intelligence Office of Evin Prison.
In the reports obtained around her death, it is believed that Sarah had intended to leave Iran sometime in November for England. She was arrested at the International Airport of Imam Khomeini and was transferred to Evin Prison for questioning. After 10 days of being questioned under custody, she was released on bail for the amount of $ one billion Tomans( Iranian currency).
She was charged with 2 crimes, one of insulting the supreme leader Ali Khamenei and the other of leaving the country by using someone else’s identity. As a result, a total bail of $ two billions ( Iranian currency) was applied for temporary release from custody. Based on a report from a close relative, she was constantly under pressure and threats by government officials during her release. Of note, she was threatened to have the content of her personal phone released publicly.
Sarah Tabrizi is one of the victims of suicide enforced by the Criminal Islamic Regime
Parisa Pouyandeh, who is the head of the Committee for Freedom of Political Prisoners, has said the following in response to the question of reasons for Sarah Tabrizi’s death as well as the factors leading to death of adolescences and young adults who are released fro custody/prison:
The Islamic Regime has systematically used tactics to break down all political prisoners emotionally, mentally, psychologically and physically through humiliation as well as coercing the prisoners under torture and their families under other forceful tactics to falsely confess to a crime. The most utilized coercive tactics are depriving the prisoners from medication and medical treatments, transferring prisoners to a location that is far away from their place of residence and their families, forbidding visits or contacts with family members which causes lack of access to medication and medical treatment especially when the prisoner is under lots of pressure and torture and are living in an environment that is not conducive to recovering their health. Since 2017, we have witnessed that this Regime murders political prisoners and anyone in their custody for political reasons and yet they claim it was suicide. However, the society at large knows these incidences aren’t suicide but death caused by the Regime.
Parisa Pouyandeh further continued that during the Woman-Life-Freedom, we all witnessed that certain individuals who would be imprisoned or under custody for a period of time, would be release by government officials; however, in similar patterns, they would be found dead in a suspicious way, a few days after their release. It was determined that these individuals would be administered certain medications while in prison or under custody which by default would cause them some psychological issues after their release and would lead to their death. The death of Sarah Tabrizi is another example that was labeled as suicide by the regime which her family denies.
he prisoners are in better conditions even if our efforts make a small difference. Also we continue to talk about lack of freedom of speech in Iran and how all political prisoners are victims of lack of freedom of speech. We keep asking other governments to condemn the lack of freedom of speech in Iran and we have witnessed several times that this has taken place by European governments and parliament as well as international Human Rights Groups. A treaty with regards to this was published. In conclusion, their actions could benefit the condition of political prisoners.
Sarah Tabrizi was murdered by the Islamic Regime of Iran
Shiva Mahboobi, the spokesperson of the Committee for Freedom of Political Prisoners stated that Sarah Tabrizi was murdered by the Islamic Regime of Iran. In reference to a letter written by the Sarah’s cell mates, she added that Sarah’s cell mates confessed that she wasn’t doing well, she was continuously anxious and petrified that the threats of the intelligence officials would become her reality. As a result of her experience she had panic attacks in custody which caused her grave heart palpitation. She was referred to prison doctor and was given medication. After that she was released on bail but was continuously under threat of being arrested again as well as public revelation of her personal information. From this letter, it is obvious that this young girl was under lots of pressure with the hope of a better life she tries to leave the country but unfortunately was arrested at the airport and was arrested again.
Shiva Mahboobi, believes the Islamic Regime is responsible for the death of Sarah, she added: the Government of Iran is responsible for the physical, emotional and psychological state of a prisoner as they run the prisons. In any other country when something happens to a prisoner, by default the family of the prisoner holds the management of prison as well as some and all of the government accountable. As a result, when something happens to an Iranian Prisoner, the Islamic Regime should be held accountable. This is a global fact. Unfortunately based on the 45-year old track record of this Regime, especially during the last year and half, it is easily deduced that Islamic Regime is responsible for Sarah’s death. The Regime doesn’t allow investigation of these death as it is confident all the evidence will be supporting this fact.
Speaking of stories similar to Sarah’s death will ensure these stories do not get lost from our history which includes many crimes against the adolescence and young adults of Iran.
Another issue is the pressure the families of these prisoners are under which includes but is not limited to being forbidden to talk about the death of their family member. Speaking about these individuals and sympathizing with the families will help them through the grieving process.
The story of death of Sarah Tabrizi and others who have died in a similar fashion speaks to the secrecy of how these deaths take place in a systematic fashion at a noticeable scale. This makes it even more important for us to continue to talk about this reality.
