Freedom of Speech & Assembly under the Shah’s Rule
Freedom of Speech & Assembly under the Shah’s Rule
Freedom of Speech & Assembly under the Shah’s Rule
Banned Books, Broken Pens, and Beaten Voices
Banned Books, Broken Pens, and Beaten Voices
Banned Books, Broken Pens,
and Beaten Voices
From Reza Shah’s first decrees in the 1920s to Mohammad-Reza Shah’s final days in 1979, the Pahlavi state treated every independent voice as a potential threat to the throne. Newspapers were closed overnight, printing presses padlocked, and editors jailed on charges as vague as “disturbing public opinion.” Public gatherings required police permits that were almost never granted; when people assembled without permission, they faced truncheons, tear-gas, or live ammunition. Inside universities, SAVAK informants sat in lecture halls, noting which professors deviated from the official line and which students applauded. A single poem, a classroom speech, even a whispered joke could trigger arrest, interrogation, and torture. The regime’s message was unmistakable: silence was safety, speech was treason.
From Reza Shah’s first decrees in the 1920s to Mohammad-Reza Shah’s final days in 1979, the Pahlavi state treated every independent voice as a potential threat to the throne. Newspapers were closed overnight, printing presses padlocked, and editors jailed on charges as vague as “disturbing public opinion.” Public gatherings required police permits that were almost never granted; when people assembled without permission, they faced truncheons, tear-gas, or live ammunition. Inside universities, SAVAK informants sat in lecture halls, noting which professors deviated from the official line and which students applauded. A single poem, a classroom speech, even a whispered joke could trigger arrest, interrogation, and torture. The regime’s message was unmistakable: silence was safety, speech was treason.
Artists, Writers and Intellectuals Silenced by the Pahlavis
Artists, Writers and Intellectuals Silenced by the Pahlavis
Mirza Mohammad Farrokhi Yazdi – Iranian poet, journalist, and member of parliament known for his sharp criticism of dictatorship. Arrested in 1939 under Reza Shah and murdered with a lethal air injection on October 18, 1939 in Qasr prison.
Mirza Mohammad Farrokhi Yazdi – Iranian poet, journalist, and member of parliament known for his sharp criticism of dictatorship. Arrested in 1939 under Reza Shah and murdered with a lethal air injection on October 18, 1939 in Qasr prison.
Mirza Mohammad Farrokhi Yazdi – Iranian poet, journalist, and member of parliament known for his sharp criticism of dictatorship. Arrested in 1939 under Reza Shah and murdered with a lethal air injection on October 18, 1939 in Qasr prison.
Mohammad Hanifnejad – A humble agricultural engineer from Tabriz and one of the founders of the MEK, Hanifnejad was known for his deep intellect, modesty, and belief in Islamic-progressive ideals and his unravering moral compass. He was executed in 1972, refusing to betray his cause even under torture.
Mohammad Hanifnejad – An agricultural engineer from Tabriz and founder of the MEK, Hanifnejad was known for his deep intellect, modesty, and belief in Islamic-progressive ideals and his unravering moral compass. He was executed in 1972, refusing to betray his cause even under torture.
Samad Behrangi – Influential teacher, folklorist, and author of The Little Black Fish. Known for championing education for the poor. Died under suspicious circumstances in the Aras River in 1967, widely believed to be the work of SAVAK.
Samad Behrangi – Influential teacher, folklorist, and author of The Little Black Fish. Known for championing education for the poor. Died under suspicious circumstances in the Aras River in 1967, widely believed to be the work of SAVAK.
Saeid Mohsen – A civil engineer from Isfahan and one of the three architects of the MEK’s ideological foundation, Saeid brought disciplined thought and principled leadership to the organization before his execution in 1972.
Saeid Mohsen – A civil engineer from Isfahan and one of the three architects of the MEK’s ideological foundation, Saeid brought disciplined thought and principled leadership to the organization before his execution in 1972.
Qazi Mohammad – A respected Kurdish leader and jurist, Qazi Mohammad declared the Republic of Mahabad in 1946, fighting for Kurdish autonomy with dignity and statesmanship. He was executed in 1947, remembered as a martyr for national rights.
Qazi Mohammad – A respected Kurdish leader and jurist, Qazi Mohammad declared the Republic of Mahabad in 1946, fighting for Kurdish autonomy with dignity and statesmanship. He was executed in 1947, remembered as a martyr for national rights.
Khosrow Golesorkhi – Marxist poet and journalist; publicly tried and sentenced to death in a highly publicized show trial. Executed by firing squad in February 1974.
Khosrow Golesorkhi – Marxist poet and journalist; publicly tried and sentenced to death in a highly publicized show trial. Executed by firing squad in February 1974.
Ahmad Rezaei – A member of the MEK central committee, Ahmad came from an elite background but chose a life of pioneering defiance. killed at 21 in 1970, his fearless stand made him the first martyr of the organization and a beacon for all who followed.
Ahmad Rezaei – A member of the MEK central committee, Ahmad came from an elite background but chose a life of pioneering defiance. killed at 21 in 1970, his fearless stand made him the first martyr of the organization and a beacon for all who followed.
Hamid Ashraf – A key leader and strategist of the Fedai guerrillas, Hamid was admired for his intellect, discipline, and years of underground leadership. After years of evading capture, he was killed in 1976 in a major SAVAK operation.
Hamid Ashraf – A key leader and strategist of the Fedai guerrillas, Hamid was admired for his intellect, discipline, and years of underground leadership. After years of evading capture, he was killed in 1976 in a major SAVAK operation.
Bijan Jazani – Political theorist and founder of the Iranian Marxist-Leninist guerrilla movement. Extrajudicially executed by SAVAK inside Evin Prison along with eight other prisoners on April 19, 1975.
Bijan Jazani – Political theorist and founder of the Iranian Marxist-Leninist guerrilla movement. Extrajudicially executed by SAVAK inside Evin Prison along with eight other prisoners on April 19, 1975.
Massoud Ahmadzadeh – A brilliant Marxist theorist and university lecturer and co-founder of the Fedai guerrillas, Massoud came from a scholarly background and helped articulate a strategy for armed resistance. He was executed in 1972 after refusing to cooperate with the regime.
Massoud Ahmadzadeh – A brilliant Marxist theorist and university lecturer and co-founder of the Fedai guerrillas, Massoud came from a scholarly background and helped articulate a strategy for armed resistance. He was executed in 1972 after refusing to cooperate with the regime.
Ali Mihandoost – A calm, thoughtful young man from an educated family, Ali was a committed MEK member known for his unwavering belief in justice. He was executed for his political activities in the early 1970s.
Ali Mihandoost – A calm, thoughtful young man from an educated family, Ali was a committed MEK member known for his unwavering belief in justice. He was executed for his political activities in the early 1970s.
Hassan Zia-Zarifi – Law student and leftist intellectual. Arrested and imprisoned for political activism. Killed alongside Bijan Jazani in the 1975 Evin Prison executions.
Hassan Zia-Zarifi – Law student and leftist intellectual. Arrested and imprisoned for political activism. Killed alongside Bijan Jazani in the 1975 Evin Prison executions.
Marzieh Ahmadi Oskouei – A teacher, poet, and Fedai activist, Marzieh came from a well-educated Azerbaijani family. Known for her eloquence and bravery, she was killed in a shootout with SAVAK in 1974.
Marzieh Ahmadi Oskouei – A teacher, poet, and Fedai activist, Marzieh came from a well-educated Azerbaijani family. Known for her eloquence and bravery, she was killed in a shootout with SAVAK in 1974.
Ali Bakeri – A university student and revolutionary from a prominent family, Ali was known for his sense of duty and strong leadership, leaving behind comfort and prospects in the path for freedom. He was executed for membership in the PMOI/MEK in 1972
Ali Bakeri – A university student and revolutionary from a prominent family, Ali was known for his sense of duty and strong leadership, leaving behind comfort and prospects in the path for freedom. He was executed for membership in the PMOI/MEK in 1972
Keramat Daneshian – Poet, filmmaker, and political activist. Arrested in the mid-1970s and executed by firing squad in 1975 for alleged involvement in anti-regime activities.
Keramat Daneshian – Poet, filmmaker, and political activist. Arrested in the mid-1970s and executed by firing squad in 1975 for alleged involvement in anti-regime activities.
Mehdi Rezaie – A teenager from a middle-class family with a sharp intellect and deep commitment to justice, Mehdi captured the hearts of millions as his trial and defense during the military tribunal was made public, he was dubbed “the red rose of the revolution”, he was only 19 when he was executed in 1972.
Mehdi Rezaie – A teenager from a middle-class family with a sharp intellect and deep commitment to justice, Mehdi captured the hearts of millions as his trial and defense during the military tribunal was made public, he was dubbed “the red rose of the revolution”, he was only 19 when he was executed in 1972.
Mahmoud Askarizadeh – A brilliant thinker and poet, Mahmoud was part of the MEK’s ideological circle. Arrested for his resistance work, he was executed in 1972, refusing to renounce his beliefs.
Mahmoud Askarizadeh – A brilliant thinker and poet, Mahmoud was part of the MEK’s ideological circle. Arrested for his resistance work, he was executed in 1972, refusing to renounce his beliefs.
Amir Mokhtar Karimpour Shirazi – Editor of the newspaper Shooresh ("Rebellion"), arrested in August 1953 following the CIA-backed coup. Burned alive in prison on March 14, 1954 as Ashraf Pahlavi, the Shah’s sister, and members of the royal court reportedly observed.
Amir Mokhtar Karimpour Shirazi – Editor of the newspaper Shooresh ("Rebellion"), arrested in August 1953 following the CIA-backed coup. Burned alive in prison on March 14, 1954 as Ashraf Pahlavi, the Shah’s sister, and members of the royal court reportedly observed.
Ali Asghar Badizadegan – The son of a prominent family and a chemical engineering graduate from Sharif University, Ali Asghar gave up a promising academic future to fight for justice. Known for his discipline, deep intellect, integrity and calm strength, executed in 1972 alongside his comrades after enduring excruciating torture, which left him, paralyzed.
Ali Asghar Badizadegan – A chemical engineering graduate from Sharif University, and one of the founders of the MEK, Ali Asghar gave up a promising academic future to fight for justice. Known for his discipline, deep intellect, integrity and resilience, executed in 1972 after enduring excruciating torture, which left him, paralyzed.
Dr. Hossein Fatemi – Foreign Minister under Prime Minister Mossadegh and editor of Bakhtar-e Emrooz. A fierce advocate of nationalization and press freedom, he was arrested after the 1953 coup and executed by firing squad on October 29, 1954.
Dr. Hossein Fatemi – Foreign Minister under Prime Minister Mossadegh and editor of Bakhtar-e Emrooz. A fierce advocate of nationalization and press freedom, he was arrested after the 1953 coup and executed by firing squad on October 29, 1954.
Fatemeh Amini – A courageous woman from an intellectual and religious family, Fatemeh, a teacher, played a vital role in the MEK’s early logistical network. Killed under torture, she became the first female martyr of the MEK and is remembered for her unflinching bravery and pioneering role as a woman in the resistance.
Fatemeh Amini – A courageous teacher from an intellectual and religious family, Fatemeh, played a vital role in the MEK’s early logistical network. Killed under torture, she became the first female martyr of the MEK and is remembered for her bravery and pioneering role for women
Mostafa Javan Khoshdel – A young revolutionary with a gentle demeanor and poetic spirit, Mostafa came from a respected family and became active in student resistance. Arrested and executed for his ties to the MEK, he left behind a legacy of defiance.
Mostafa Javan Khoshdel – A young revolutionary with a gentle demeanor and poetic spirit, Mostafa came from a respected family and became active in student resistance. Arrested and executed for his ties to the MEK, he left behind a legacy of defiance.
Vartan Salakhanyan (Vartan) – Armenian-Iranian poet and activist; arrested in 1954 for his leftist political beliefs. Tortured to death in custody by SAVAK forces.
Vartan Salakhanyan (Vartan) – Armenian-Iranian poet and activist; arrested in 1954 for his leftist political beliefs. Tortured to death in custody by SAVAK forces.
Reza Rezaei – One of the most dynamic leaders of the MEK, Reza came from a respected family and studied engineering. Charismatic and brave, he designed the MEK emblem which still stands today, he died in a shootout with SAVAK in 1973, fighting until his last breath.
Reza Rezaei – One of the most dynamic leaders of the MEK, Reza came from a respected family and studied engineering. Charismatic and brave, he designed the MEK emblem which still stands today, he died in a shootout with SAVAK in 1973, fighting until his last breath.
Nasser Sadegh – A law student with a sharp legal mind and deep political conviction, from a distinguished family, Nasser was deeply moved by social injustice. As an early MEK member, he was known for his moral strength and clarity of purpose. He was executed in 1972 after a mock trial, leaving behind a legacy of steadfastness.
Nasser Sadegh – A law student with a sharp legal mind and deep political conviction, from a distinguished family. As an early MEK member, he was known for his moral strength and clarity of purpose. He was executed in 1972 after a mock trial, leaving behind a legacy of steadfastness.
Khosro Roozbeh – Political theorist and satirist; accused of espionage and involvement with the Tudeh Party’s military wing. Executed after a secret military trial in 1958.
Khosro Roozbeh – Political theorist and satirist; accused of espionage and involvement with the Tudeh Party’s military wing. Executed after a secret military trial in 1958.
Amir Parviz Pouyan – An intellectual and poet, Pouyan was one of the founders of the Iranian People's Fedai Guerrillas. From a well-educated and cultured family, he was killed in 1971 in an armed confrontation with SAVAK, becoming a symbol of revolutionary idealism.
Amir Parviz Pouyan – An intellectual and poet, Pouyan was one of the founders of the Iranian People's Fedai Guerrillas. From a well-educated and cultured family, he was killed in 1971 in an armed confrontation with SAVAK, becoming a symbol of revolutionary idealism.
Rasoul Meshkinfam – A gifted architecture student from a cultured family in Shiraz, Rasoul was executed for his creative spirit turned to resistance, embodying the blend of artistry and activism. He was executed alongside the founders of the MEK in 1972
Rasoul Meshkinfam – A gifted architecture student from a cultured family in Shiraz, Rasoul was executed for his creative spirit turned to resistance, embodying the blend of artistry and activism. He was executed alongside the founders of the MEK in 1972
Morteza Keyvan – Poet, literary critic, and editor; arrested for sheltering activists. He was executed by firing squad in November 1954 at the age of 32.
Morteza Keyvan – Poet, literary critic, and editor; arrested for sheltering activists. He was executed by firing squad in November 1954 at the age of 32.
Mehrnoush Ebrahimi – A courageous student activist from a middle-class family, Mehrnoush joined the Fedai guerrilla movement. She was arrested and killed for her role in organizing women within the underground resistance.
Mehrnoush Ebrahimi – A courageous student activist from a middle-class family, Mehrnoush joined the Fedai guerrilla movement. She was arrested and killed for her role in organizing women within the underground resistance.
Kazem Zolanvar – A passionate and principled young revolutionary, Kazem was deeply drawn to the ideals of freedom and social justice. As an early member of the MEK, he was known for his moral clarity and quiet dedication. Arrested and executed by the Shah’s regime, he is remembered for his steadfast loyalty and unshakable belief in a democratic Iran.
Kazem Zolanvar – A passionate and principled young revolutionary, Kazem was deeply drawn to the ideals of freedom and social justice. As an early member of the MEK, he was known for his moral clarity and dedication. Arrested and executed by the Shah’s regime, he is remembered for his steadfast loyalty and unshakable belief in a democratic Iran.