In brief
Kianoosh Sanjari, a well-known figure in Iran's human rights movement, has taken his own life as a form of protest against the oppressive regime led by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In a poignant social media post, Sanjari declared that he would end his life if four imprisoned political activists were not released by 19:00 local time. His tragic decision was confirmed later by fellow activists, igniting widespread outrage and grief within the community.
His final messages called for a collective awakening among Iranians to rise against what he termed their "slavery" under the current regime. Sanjari had consistently spoken out against repression, asserting that every citizen has the fundamental right to voice their dissent, and his quotes were a rallying cry for many in the activist arena.On the day of his death, Sanjari emphasized the urgency of freedom for Fateme Sepehari, Nasreen Shakrami, Tomaj Salehi, and Arsham Rezaei, who were arrested during the protests ignited by the death of Mahsa Amini in 2022. Sanjari had experienced significant personal struggles, as he faced multiple arrests during his activism from 1999 to 2007, which ultimately led him to seek asylum in Norway.Returning to Iran in 2016 to care for his elderly parents, he was once again imprisoned for 11 years in the notorious Evin prison. His release on bail came in 2019 due to health issues. Disturbing accounts of the treatment he received in detention include electric shocks and forced medication.Tributes flowed for Sanjari after his passing, with freedom of speech advocates acknowledging him as a symbol of resistance against tyranny in Iran. Activist Hossein Ronaghi highlighted the profound loss, stating that Sanjari represented years of struggle for liberty.Sanjari's poignant final act underscores the ongoing plight of political prisoners and the escalating human rights crisis in Iran, calling for international attention and action.
