Farideh Moradkhani, the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s niece who has spoken out against her uncle’s administration over a number of instances of human rights abuse, has been detained by Iranian authorities.
While executing a court order on Wednesday, Ms. Moradkhani was detained by the regime’s security personnel.
Later, a video of her calling with other countries to boycott Iran for its brutal response to the protest that broke out when Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman, died in the country’s morality police detention in September was made public by her brother, who lives in France.
Iranians were enraged with countries that supported the Khamenei-led administration, and Ms. Moradkhani was shown urging other countries to fully cut ties with Iran in the film that was broadcast online two days after her imprisonment.
“I ask the conscientious people of the world to stand by us and ask their governments not to react with empty words and slogans but with real action and stop any dealings with this regime,” Ms Moradkhani said in the video.
“Oh, free people, be with us and tell your governments to stop supporting this murderous and child-killing regime. This regime is not loyal to any of its religious principles and does not know any laws or rules except force and maintaining its power in any possible way.” she added.
As Iranian authorities forcibly put an end to rallies around the nation, Ms. Moradkhani claimed that “the people of Iran are carrying the burden of this great responsibility alone by paying with their lives.”
At least 300 people, including security personnel, have been killed in the continuing protests, according to an admission made on Monday by Iranian general Amir Ali Hajizadeh.
The actual number of protest-related deaths, according to Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), was 451, not the amount Mr. Hajizadeh provided.
