By Banooye Sabz
March 18, 2014
March 14th 2014 – According to reports by Kaleme, Opposition Leader Mir Hossein Mousavi and his wife Zahra Rahnavard, under illegal house arrest for over three years, were granted permission to visit with Rahnavard’s old and ailing mother Mrs. Navab Safavi in the presence of security agents today.
In an unexpected turn of events, Mousavi’s and Rahnavard’s visit to Mrs. Navab Safavi’s house coincided with a spontaneous visit by a group of teachers and family members of political prisoners who arrived at the residence of Zahra Rahnavard’s mother in order to pay their respects and show their support, not knowing that Rahnavard and Mousavi had been taken to the house as well.
Though the spontaneous visitors were initially banned by the security agents present from entering Mrs. Navab Safavi’s residence, they were eventually allowed to enter the house and meet with Mousavi and Rahnavard. Mousavi and Rahnavard’s daughters were not present during this spontaneous gathering.
This is the first time in three years of illegal house arrest that Mousavi and Rahnavard have been allowed to visit with any member of the public other than their immediate family members. This while neither the opposition leader nor his wife have been charged with a crime, nor has any official within the ruling establishment taken responsibility for their house arrest or confirmed the legality of such an act.
Zahra Rahimi the wife of Abolfazl Ghadyani a political prisoner at Evin prison who was part of the group that coincidentally arrived at Mrs. Navab Safavi’s house at the same time that Mousavi and Rahnavard were visiting recounted the events as follows: “A number of us have been paying regular visits to the families of martyrs and Green political prisoners. Today we decided to visit Mrs. Rahnavard’s mother. When we arrived at her residence we saw a car parked at the entrance. There were two individuals inside the car and they were looking in our direction. We assumed they were with the security apparatus. Since they did not intervene we rang the door bell and the gate opened. Upon entering the court yard we were met by a number of other agents who began questioning us. They wanted to know why we were there. Though their line of questioning was surprising, we explained that we had come to visit Mrs Rahnavard’s old and ailing mother as we had heard that she is not feeling well. A few minutes later someone came outside from within the residence and said we were allowed to enter.”
Rahimi added: “As we entered the house, to our shock and surprised we realized that Zahra Rahnavard was also present. It goes without saying that we were all elated and at a loss for words. We all greeted her not knowing exactly what to say or how to behave. A female security agent was sitting next to Mrs. Rahnavard. The security agent’s behavior was civil and respectful. We sat next to Mrs. Rahnavard and chatted with her for a few minutes. The other teachers who had accompanied us on this visit were ordinary citizens with no political background. Everyone was so happy to see Mrs. Rahnavard. The visit with was so utterly unexpected and we were all in such shock that all we could think to ask was how she was doing. Mrs Rahnavard first about the families of the other political prisoners, insisting that we send them her regards.”
“Prior to her house arrest, Mrs. Rahnavard was a staunch supporter of the families of political prisoners and she always attended our gatherings. We could always depend on her. She never abandoned us. I could tell that she misses everyone and worries about the families. Mrs Rahnavard told us that their condition has improved and their daughters are now allowed to visit them once a week. In response to our gratitude regarding the improved conditions and our desire to see the house arrest lifted as soon as possible, Mrs. Rahnavard said: “We must all be patient; we must all persevere.”, Rahimi continued.
“Mrs Rahnavard told us that she had lost 14 kilos (approx 30 lbs) in short period of time. Though she looked thinner her face had not changed. Although Mir Hossein’s hair was completely grey, his spirit was strong. Mrs. Rahnavard explained that they were on their way out when we arrived. She said that their visit had not been planned. They had been taken to the hospital for a number of tests and upon leaving the hospital since they were in the vicinity of Mrs. Rahnavard’s mother’s home, the security agent had suggested that they pay her a visit. I asked where Mousavi was and was told he is in another room. I approached the room and asked if we could see him. The security agent standing next to Mousavi was pleasant and said it would be okay. We all entered the room and greeted Mousavi. We were all so nervous but Mousavi calmly greeted everyone and asked how our husbands and other political prisoners were doing. When they were leaving he turned to us and said: “Know that we are doing well.”
Source: Kaleme: http://www.kaleme.com/1392/12/25/klm-177990/ & http://www.kaleme.com/1392/12/26/klm-178033/
Banooye Sabz
http://banouyesabz.wordpress.com/2014/03/18/an-unprecedented-coincidental-heart-warming-encounter-with-opposition-leader-mir-hossein-mousavi-zahra-rahnavard/
