Testimonies from protests in Iran following the death of Mahsa Amini (Part 1/3)
Diako Alavi is a high school teacher in Saqqez, a Kurdish town in Iran, and he witnessed the first protests that broke out after the death of Mahsa Amini, a young Iranian woman from the region. Diako accompanied his students during the protests before being arrested himself by Iranian authorities. In this article, he shares his poignant testimonies about these tragic events.
Diako says Mahsa Amini was known as Jina in her hometown of Saqqez, a small town of 50,000 inhabitants. He had close ties to his family, his father being a respected retiree in the community. When he learned that Mahsa was in a coma after being violently attacked by the police, he immediately became concerned. The news spread quickly and intense emotion gripped the city. Mahsa’s parents asked the community to pray for her.
On the day of the funeral, Diako went to the cemetery and was struck by the huge crowd present. Thousands of people were gathered in total silence, an atmosphere that was both striking and frightening. Suddenly a man shouted, “She could have been my daughter. She could have been your sister. How long will we put up with this?” These words caused a chain reaction, and the crowd began chanting slogans calling for the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Security officers at the scene attempted to film the scene from the roof of a mosque, but were quickly attacked by the angry crowd.
Mahsa’s father spoke to calm the spirits and the crowd responded with one voice, assuring him that they should not be afraid. Women even took off their black headscarves in protest. However, the situation quickly degenerated when the demonstrators decided to go to the governorate post to express their anger. The police reacted violently, using water cannons and shotguns. Diako witnessed young demonstrators injured, particularly in the eyes, by the shooting.
Diako actively participated in the protests, motivated by his students whose parents called him to beg him to ensure their safety. He describes this generation of courageous young people, ready to fight for their rights. For them, the “Women, Life, Liberty” movement has become a beacon of hope in a dark and false future. Diako was marked by the dedication of these young people, notably when he washed the bloody face of an injured young girl and she immediately returned to the front of the demonstrations.
Unfortunately, Diako was arrested a few months later due to his union activities and his participation in the protests. He spent two weeks in prison, where he was interrogated and accused of being a bad teacher. Despite these trials, Diako remains determined to bear witness to what he experienced and to fight for the freedom and rights of his people.
These testimonies from Diako Alavi allow us to become aware of the harsh reality of the demonstrations in Iran and the courage of the demonstrators who fight for their freedom. They highlight the determination of Iranian youth to fight for a better future, despite the risks of repression and violence. In the second part of this article, we will continue to explore Diako’s testimonies and her experience of the protests in Iran. Stay tuned to find out more.