Fatemeh Karroubi: “They Lie! My Sons Have Not Seen Their Father Since Persian New Year!”
By Banooye Sabz
April 26, 2012
April 24th, 2012 – [Kaleme - Zahra Sadr] In response to the recent lies published by media outlets associated with the ruling government claiming that opposition leader Mehdi Karroubi was seen vacationing with his son in the city of Kashan, Fatemeh Karroubi stated: ” My sons have not seen their father since Persian New Year. The claims by a number of media outlets associated with the ruling government that Mehdi Karroubi was seen enjoying himself along with his son and a number of security agents in the city of Kashan at Hamman Fin are false. Karroubi was forced to go on this trip without the knowledge of his family and without the presence of any of this sons.”
Many political pundits have expressed doubt regarding the recent news and reported images and rumors about Karroubi’s transfer to Kashan. Now Karroubi’s wife has also denied the reports published in both official and non official media outlets.
It seems as though given the current conditions in Iran the security apparatus seek to publish rumors, fabricating stories in order to create confusion and ambiguity regarding the now 15 month illegal house arrest of the leaders of the Green movement.
In an interview with Kaleme, Fatemeh Karroubi, Mehdi Karroubi’s wife who spent the first 7 months of his house arrest alongside him and was released in order to pursue medical treatment stated: “I was banned from visiting my husband for a long period of time. However as of Persian New Year they once again granted me visitation rights on Wednesdays. This past Wednesday when I visited my husband I was informed that the day prior to my visit, i.e. on Tuesday they had taken my husband out of town. My husband had no idea what their plan was. He was only told that they will be leaving town. They drove him towards the city of Qom and Kashan, visited a mosque, ate and returned him to the location where he is being detained the same night. Reportedly a number of pedestrians had seen Mr. Karroubi while he was out, had approached and greeted him. That is all the information we have of his supposed trip.”
While expressing her lament regarding the extent of the lies published by certain media outlets, Fatemeh Karroubi added: ” They published that Mr. Karroubi had traveled with our son; this while our son had no idea until I visited with his father that he had even left town. I wish to understand why in the world they publish such lies? What is the purpose of such lies? Why state that my son was present when he was not? My sons have not seen their father since we were allowed to see him during Persian New Year.”
While smiling Fatemeh Karroubi reiterated: ” Of course we were happy, but why lie about our sons being present when it was not the case? Why do you behave in a manner that leads to further distrust by our citizens? You publish the report and then create drama around it …”
Fatemeh Karroubi confirmed that her husband has been under house arrest for over 15 months adding: “I was with my husband for the first 7 months of his house arrest; after which he was moved to a very small apartment for 4 months and forced to cohabitate with security agents. They then told me that I have to lease a new place but forced us to move into a location that they had themselves moved into, while we paid the rent. My husband has been in this new building for 6 months and in solitary confinement for 15 months, deprived of access to the sun and fresh air. There is no yard. With the exception of a window, he has had absolutely no access what so every to fresh air – and even then, the security agents decide when and if the window can be opened.”
While pointing to Karroubi’s age, his wife continued: ” God knows what would happen even to a young person if they were to be deprived of everything, including the right to read news papers, regular visitations and fresh air. After 15 months and all this pressure and restrictions, they have taken him some place for one day and advertise it as though it is a common place event. Naturally he has reached a point that if they don’t do anything, it may become dangerous to his health. It goes without saying however, that my husband’s spirit remains strong. He is steadfast and firm. I truly don’t understand. I was surprised at the reaction by Keyhan and other media outlets associated with the ruling government. All I can say is that their behavior is truly regretful.”
While pointing to the fact that Iranian citizens will not ignore the truth despite the publication of such news, Mrs. Karroubi stated: ” Our nation is aware. Our people realize things. They ask questions and we tell them the truth regarding the physical limitations, the psychological pressure, being banned from access to fresh air and visitation with family members, lack of access to newspapers and television programs. We have informed the nation of nothing but the truth.”
Mrs. Karroubi added: ” To be fair, the behavior by the security agents have improved over the past few months, but the truth is that the conditions are very difficult to bear. For example, Mr. Karroubi has to call and ask for permission to walk a few steps in the parking lot.”
While pointing to the illegal nature of Mr. Karroubi’s arrest, Mrs. Karroubi reiterated that if they were only under house arrest their condition would be very different adding: ” If they were under house arrest, they would be kept in their own homes and the law regarding house arrest would be very clear and specific. They would remain at home and involved in their own lives. An agent would watch over them and their visitation rights would be restricted. Perhaps they would even be deprived of some information. What they are enduring now is by no means a simple house arrest.”
Fatemeh Karroubi continued: ” We have had other public figures under house arrest in the past and their situation was completely different. Mr. Karroubi is even deprived of his own home. They have forced me to rent an expensive location that only meets their conditions and each month I must pay the high costs associated with my husband’s detention. After all the restrictions and pressure he has had to endure, they have now forcefully taken him on a one day trip that was of no interest to my husband in order to demonstrate that he is not under pressure. We leave it up to our citizens to judge for themselves what is really going on.”
Mrs. Karroubi reiterated that she has not met with any government official or security agent and stated: ” Our prisoner has been in a complete state of limbo for 15 months. I would like to take this time to thank our kind and aware citizens and remind them that Mr. Karroubi remains in strong spirits, he is steadfast and will continue to proudly stand with the people of Iran. There is a price associated with standing firm. Mr. Karroubi will continue to stand firm and is willing to pay an even higher price if necessary.”
In conclusion Fatemeh Karroubi once again reiterated that her husband’s 15 month detention, the fact that he has been deprived from his home and the presence of his family members in conditions very similar to solitary confinement is the least price he will pay, given his objectives adding: ” My husband chose this path on his own and has always insisted that it is the path of the Imam, the revolution and our martyrs and he will continue on this path until the day that our Constitution is once again upheld.”
Source: Kaleme:
http://www.kaleme.com/1391/02/04/klm-99118/
Banooye Sabz
http://banouyesabz.wordpress.com/2012/04/26/fatemeh-karroubi-they-lie-my-sons-have-not-seen-their-father-since-persian-new-year/
