How do Iranians, exiled Iranians or people with Iranian roots living in the West observe the protests in Iran? We collect voices with a questionnaire. This time: Amir, who fled from Iran to Germany 14 years ago and keeps in close contact with the family of Hamid Ghare Hassanlou, a doctor sentenced to death.
How do you assess this revolution, in which phase is the revolution?
It is not the first time that the people of Iran have been dissatisfied in these 43 years, but this time many things are different. For the first time, people from all walks of life, with diverse views and beliefs, want to fight for one and the same thing: namely, freedom and human rights without an Islamic government and dictatorship. And fortunately, more people outside Iran are finally joining and showing solidarity. We see numerous contributions from international celebrities. This is a great opportunity for the people of Iran.
With what feelings or thoughts are you watching the protests?
You talk about protests, but this is about a revolution - and not about a few protests for a long time. Iran is my home country. I left Iran 14 years ago because of all the barbarism. I am no longer the Amir of three months ago. Everything has changed. I can't live normally after these nationwide massacres, this will haunt me for life. The people who are being tortured and killed right now are not just any people, but my family.
Among them is, for example, the family of the Hassanlou medical couple. The latter attended a funeral service in Karaj on Nov. 12, 2022, to mark the 40th anniversary of the death of Hadis Najafi, one of the latest victims of the violent crackdown on peaceful demonstrations in Iran. After weeks of torture, Hamid Ghare Hassanlou has been sentenced to the death penalty and his wife to 25 years in prison. The doctor is allegedly involved in the death of a member of the Basij militia....
I have known Hamid Ghare Hassanlou since I was five years old. He is my uncle's best friend. I have never seen such a nice and positive person in my life. He has a smiling face. Such a great person who built schools in many villages, who doctored and helped poor patients for free and many other things - how can he kill someone?
What will the family do to avert the sentences?
The family will definitely file an appeal, they have three weeks to do so. Right now they are in the process of getting good lawyers, no matter what it takes, but it is difficult. They have talked to more than three good lawyers so far, who initially agreed but backed out after a few hours - because they were threatened by the government. They continue to look for lawyers, but it's like a vicious circle.... The family is powerless. They don't have direct contact with Hamid, and with Farzaneh they only talk on the phone through a tapped line. Nevertheless, the family tries to somehow find a good lawyer through various channels who will take care of this danger.
How is Hamid?
He is currently in the hospital under very strict observation. He had to undergo a couple of surgeries because he broke five ribs during the torture, which also affected his lungs. Farzaneh is in Kachuiii prison in Karaj and is banned from visiting. She can only talk to her family on the phone every few days.
Amir is 34 years old, a business information scientist and fled from Iran to Germany 14 years ago. He is co-founder of the group Free Human in Cologne.