The families of several victims of the 2009 crackdown on post-election protests gathered at the graves of their kin on Thursday to observe the third anniversary of their passing.
The Kaleme website reports that, under strict security measures, the families of Neda AghaSoltan, Sohrab Aarabi, Ashkan Sohrabi and many others commemorated the death of the first victims of the peaceful protests against the allegedly fraudulent presidential elections.
The report indicates that many citizens, especially young people, had joined the ceremony and commiserated with the families. Despite the heavy deployment of security officers, no arrests were reported.
Parvin Fahimi, the mother of Sohrab Aarabi, one of the first protesters shot to death in the silent protest of June 15, 2009, laid flowers at the graves and offered food and sweets to the attendees. including the security officers.
Parvin Fahimi told Kaleme: “We are spending very difficult days.”
She added: “I can only begin to forgive the death of my son if all political prisoners are released and the leaders of the Green Movement [MirHosein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi] and Ms. Zahra Rahnavard, our consistent supporter, are released from house arrest.”
MirHosein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi the challengers of the 2009 presidential elections together with Zahra Rahnavard, Mousavi’s wife, have been under house arrest since February of 2011.
The judiciary has made no attempt to prosecute those responsible for the protesters’ deaths, and their families have only been told that they can apply for their blood money. The families have so far refused the offer, demanding a proper investigation.
In June of 2009, after Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was declared the winner of the presidential elections, millions of peaceful protesters took to the streets of Tehran and other major Iranian cities to challenge the results.
The government responded with a widespread crackdown. An attack on the Tehran University dorm was followed by the shooting and beating of protesters on the streets.
The events left scores of protesters dead and hundreds in prison, many of whom are still serving heavy sentences.
