Protest in Iran: Erfan Mortezai, cousin of Mahsa Amini, welcomed in France
Cousin of Mahsa Amini, the Iranian Kurdish activist Erfan Mortezaee is welcomed in France.
© Theo Renaudon / RFI
Text by: RFI Follow
2 mins
Mahsa Amini's cousin, Erfan Mortezai, an Iranian Kurdish activist entrenched in Iraq, arrived in France this Saturday morning.
He obtained a laissez-passer from the office of the French Minister of Foreign Affairs, after his request to be received in Europe.
As a reminder, it was the murder of his cousin that triggered the protest movement in Iran which has lasted four months.
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From our correspondent in Erbil,
Théo Renaudon
Since the death of
Mahsa Amini
, Erfan Mortezai has received death threats from the regime.
A few hours before his departure from Iraqi Kurdistan, he retraces his journey, which therefore began in Iran.
Before being Mahsa Amini's cousin,
Erfan Mortezai
was first and foremost a peshmerga, an Iranian federalist Kurdish fighter.
“
One day I was arrested and imprisoned for 18 months.
Once released, I fled here to Iraq and joined the ranks of the Iranian Communist Party
,” he says.
And since
the death of his cousin
, he is particularly threatened by the regime in Tehran.
“
Since I spoke in the foreign media, I received messages that I would at least be kidnapped and taken to Iran, or else I would be directly murdered.
This is what happened to one of my friends.
In recent days, I received messages writing to me that they were looking for me and that they would bring me back to Iran
,” he reports.
“
I feel really relieved
”
Today, this exile in Paris greatly reassures him.
“
First, I am very grateful, deeply touched to see that there are people who are sensitive to my fate.
I am now reassured that I can go to a place where I feel safe.
All the fatigue I've felt for a while is alleviated, I really feel relieved.
Not only this trip saved my life, but in addition, I will be able to fight against the Islamic regime in Tehran.
In fact, now is where my fight really begins
!
I now want to lead it with the other opponents present in France.
And I hope that very soon we can celebrate the liberation of Iran
,” he said.
In Paris since this morning, Erfan Mortezai will quickly apply for asylum, before learning to speak French.
►Also read: In Iran, behind the death of Mahsa Amini, the uprising of a people
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