The government must be held responsible for Sara's death, previous cellmates of Sara Tabrizi said in a statement from Evin Prison, posted by @free.nahid and @narges_mohamadi_51

She was with us for a week. Her fears were not alien to us. She spoke about her lonely nights in solitary confinement and her terror of the interrogators’ threats becoming reality. She said after three nights alone in the cells of Ward 209 of the Ministry of Information, due to the intensity of her heartbeat and nervous attacks, she was transferred to the Prison Health Clinic and then to a communal cell after the doctor’s prescription.

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From the next day, she was under pressure in the interrogation room, warned that if she didn’t cooperate, she would be returned to previous conditions, solitary confinement. She didn’t know what cooperation meant. She only knew she didn’t want to become a captive by the delusions she was afflicted with.

Sara Tabrizi, a twenty-year-old girl with no experience facing such an environment, had intended to leave Iran for her dreams before she got involved with the security forces.

If Sarah had lived in a society free of suppression and discrimination, without the tyranny and exploitation of life, she wouldn’t have decided to leave the country nor would she have met such a bitter end.

After she was released on bail from prison, Sara understood the concept of cooperation. The repeated calls and interrogator’s insistence on what Sarah was not willing to give in to. And then the threats to re-arrest and the disclosure of her private information.

On March 23, Sara [was contacted by] the Tehran [police] department and the day after that, she was [found dead at home].

Regardless of the circumstances under which it occurred, the responsibility for this death lies with the government.

Like the deaths of thousands who have disappeared under the control of governments, under decades of fascist dictatorship, vanished without a trace.

Like many who have lost their eyes or have been physically disabled in some way.

Like many of our children who, for greater security or to achieve their dreams, have been forced to leave their homeland.

And like many who have been imprisoned for years and their homes’ lights have gone out.

Although the government will not be held accountable and will try to evade responsibility with another trick if necessary, the responsibility for this crime, like those committed before, will be on its shoulders and and will one day be held accountable before the people.

Signatories:

Narges Mohammadi
Nahid Taqhavi
Anisha Asadollahi
epideh Gholian
Reihaneh Ansari Nejad
Mahbooubeh Rezaei
Mariam Haj Hosseini
Golrokh Iraee

@golrokh.iraee @free.nahid @anishaasadollahi @sepide_qoliyan  #saratabrizi