Background: Targeting the Families of Victims
Since the beginning of the “Woman, Life, Freedom” uprising in 2022, the Islamic Republic has pursued a systematic policy of harassment and intimidation against the families of those killed by security forces. This campaign aims to silence the families, preventing them from demanding justice and turning their funerals and memorials into anti-government rallies. The Deraftadeh family in Piranshahr is a tragic example of this cruel policy.
Komar Deraftadeh: A Victim of the Protests
Komar Deraftadeh, a 16-year-old boy, was shot and killed by security forces during the protests in Piranshahr. Since his death, his family has been under constant harassment and threats from the authorities, including repeated summons for interrogation and pressure to refrain from speaking out publicly.
Hostage-Taking Tactic: The Arrest of Emad Deraftadeh
In an escalation of this campaign, security forces coerced Komar’s relative, Emad Deraftadeh, a 19-year-old Kurdish student, into surrendering via hostage-taking tactics. Agents from the Ministry of Intelligence raided the family’s home, and when they could not find Emad, they detained his 70-year-old father as a hostage. This cruel act prompted Emad to turn himself in to end the pressure on his family, whereupon he was immediately arrested.
Conclusion: An Unrelenting Campaign of Repression
The reasons for Emad Deraftadeh’s arrest and his current status remain unknown, adding to the family’s anguish. This incident highlights the Iranian authorities’ use of illegal and inhumane tactics, such as hostage-taking, to crush any form of dissent. It demonstrates that the campaign of repression against those associated with the “Woman, Life, Freedom” uprising is far from over, and that the state will go to extreme lengths to silence the voices of its victims.
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