‘I feel quite sad’: Maritimers worry about family in Iran following unrest

Two Maritimers with family in Iran have been watching the situation in that country unfold.

Meysam Bakhti hasn’t heard from his family in Iran for almost a week.

The Moncton lawyer says he feels heart broken when he thinks about the violence that has occurred there over the past few weeks.

“I feel quite sad to see tragic events taking place in my country,” said Bakhti.

According to estimates, close to 2,800 protesters have been killed since Dec. 28.

An economic crisis started massive anti-government protests in the capital of Tehran and the Islamic Republic has cut internet access preventing citizens from contacting family members around the world.

Trials for imprisoned protesters could result in the executions of many more Iranians.

“This regime does not respect any rule of law. It does not respect lives of its own people. They are ready to massacre all Iranian people to remain in power,” said Bakhti.

The 40-year-old lawyer worked for the Iranian government before moving to New Brunswick five years ago. He attended the Université de Moncton and now works at a downtown law firm.

He says the scale of the protests took him off guard.

“I didn’t expect that millions of people take to the streets and to demand a complete change of political system we may call revolution,” said Bakhti.

U.S. President Donald Trump had threatened retaliation for the protesters’ deaths, but American involvement is now uncertain with the situation in Tehran beginning to cool off.

Bakhti is deeply proud of the country’s history, culture and independence and doesn’t like the idea of any involvement from a foreign power.

“However, what is going on in Iran is so tragic that we have no other choice but to welcome any foreign assistance,” said Bakhti.

That would include a military operation if it meant getting rid of the current regime, he said.

Soheila Hashemi has had very brief contact with her family in Iran.

She says she is in total disbelief over the Iranian government killing their own people.

“It was unbelievable. I never could imagine people would be under such a bloody situation,” said Hashemi. “They killed 1,200 people in only two days. How can you imagine? It’s terrible.”

Hashemi has co-organized rallies in Halifax outside the American consulate demanding urgent international intervention for the crisis in Iran.

She would like to see world powers help, but doesn’t want to see any military intervention from the U.S.

“We don’t need that. We just need the support. As you can see, all the Iranian, all the people are bare hand(ed) and just they are asking for dignity, for freedom, for democracy,” said Hashemi.

Bakhti is deeply saddened about the events that have taken place, but is also excited and optimistic about the future of Iran believing the country will go through a transition.

“I can imagine, I can envisage the future of Iran that is brilliant with this new movement taking place in my country,” said Bakhti.

Hashemi also believes the future for Iran is “brilliant” without the Islamic Republic.

“We are a very peaceful nation,” she said. “All history shows that.”

For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.