Prominent Iranian activist Kianoosh Sanjari, 42, was laid to rest in Tehran on Friday following his tragic death by suicide. Sanjari, a vocal critic of Iran’s government, ended his life on Wednesday, jumping from a building in downtown Tehran. His act of protest was directed at the regime’s imprisonment of political activists and its broader suppression of dissent.
Earlier that day, Sanjari posted a series of messages on social media condemning Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s government and demanding the release of detained activists Fatemeh Sepehari, Nasreen Shakrami, Toomaj Salehi, and Arsham Rezaei. “No one should be imprisoned for expressing their opinions,” he wrote, adding that his death would serve as a symbol of resistance.
At 7:20 p.m., Sanjari shared an image from the Hafez Bridge in Tehran, signaling his final moments with a chilling message: “My life will end after this tweet… I hope Iranians wake up and overcome slavery.”
Fellow activist Hossein Ronaghi confirmed Sanjari’s death and urged people to attend his funeral to honor his sacrifice. Ronaghi also warned authorities against disrupting the burial with heightened security measures, emphasizing the need for respect at the ceremony.
Sanjar’s death has drawn significant attention to Iran’s treatment of political dissidents. The Tehran prosecutor’s office announced an investigation into the incident, citing a history of mental health issues and prior hospitalizations. However, many activists reject this narrative, viewing Sanjari’s actions as a deliberate protest against years of oppression.
Sanjari’s activism made him a target of repeated detentions by Iranian authorities. Between 1999 and 2007, he was arrested multiple times on charges such as “acting against state security” and “propaganda against the system.” He spent time in Tehran’s notorious Evin Prison, known for its human rights abuses, before securing his release on a hefty bail bond.
After briefly leaving Iran, Sanjari returned in 2016, only to be sentenced to 11 years in prison. He later moved to the United States, where he worked for the Persian Service of Voice of America. Despite finding relative safety abroad, Sanjari returned to Iran in a continued bid to challenge the regime.
Sanjari’s tragic death underscores the immense risks faced by activists in Iran. His final act of defiance sheds light on the ongoing struggle for freedom and human rights in the country, stirring both grief and determination among those who continue the fight.
For those struggling with thoughts of self-harm, support services are available worldwide. Reach out to local hotlines or organizations for help.
