Amjad Amini, the father of Jina Mahsa Amini, who lost her life in the hands of Iran’s morality police, continues to endure harassment and pressure from Iranian security forces, as the one-year anniversary of her death approaches.
The Amini family, residing in the Kurdish town of Saqqez in northwestern Iran, had been planning a ceremony to honour their daughter’s memory, as reported by Iran International.
Amjad Amini took to Instagram to announce a traditional religious ceremony at Jina’s gravesite in Saqqez, appealing to individuals to abstain from resorting to violence amidst the commemoration.
This decision alarmed Iran’s Intelligence Office in Saqqez, who summoned the bereaving father for questioning and intensified efforts to silence the family, according to VOA Persian.
Despite the relentless pressure they are under, Jina’s father remains determined to continue commemorating her memory. Her grave was desecrated earlier this year. “I have never given in to this pressure and we will go ahead with the ceremony as planned,” Amjad Amini said.
Jina’s uncle, Safa Aeli, was recently arrested by the security forces. Despite visits to the court and the country’s Ministry of Intelligence, the family remains in the dark about Aeli’s whereabouts, Iran International reported.
Furthermore, relatives of several individuals killed in last year’s nationwide protests following Amini’s death, have told VOA Persian that intelligence agencies have warned them to avoid public places on Saturday’s anniversary.
Despite the pervasive climate of intimidation, the Amini family remains resolute in their mission to honour Jina’s memory and the cause she inspired, with her father saying they are adamant on performing the ceremony.
The situation has escalated further with reports of a significant deployment of heavily armed military forces in Kurdish cities across Iran, where over a thousand special forces personnel are now stationed.
22-year-old Amini’s death reverberated across the nation, leading to the formation of the Jin, Jiyan, Azadî (Woman, Life, Freedom) movement and triggering nationwide uprisings.
