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The Global Story

Life and death activism in Iran

Dec 13, 2024
Parham Ghobadi, a BBC Persian service journalist, provides expert insights into Iranian activism. He discusses the aftermath of the tragic death of Mahsa Amini and the subsequent protests, emphasizing the cost of activism through the heartbreaking story of Kianoosh Sanjari. Ghobadi highlights the effects of misinformation and state propaganda on public perception. He also sheds light on the chilling sentences faced by protesters and the ongoing resilience of individuals resisting oppression, despite challenges from the government and societal pressures.
27:35

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Kianoosh Sanjari's life reflects the brutal realities faced by activists in Iran, ultimately culminating in his tragic suicide as an act of defiance.
  • Despite a lack of mass protests, individual acts of defiance, particularly among women, highlight ongoing resistance against oppressive cultural norms in Iran.

Deep dives

The Legacy of Kyanush Sanjari

Kyanush Sanjari's journey begins in his teenage years in Iran, where he became involved in protesting against the regime, notably during the student demonstrations in 1999. Over the years, he faced repeated arrests, endured severe mistreatment in prisons, and ultimately sought asylum in the United States, where he worked for various media outlets advocating for human rights. Despite gaining prominence in the Iranian community, he struggled financially and emotionally, grappling with a deep longing for his homeland and the trauma he endured in detention. Tragically, after returning to Iran to be closer to his family, he took his own life, leaving a poignant message about oppression and despair in a regime that denied him peace and safety.

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