Neda Agha-Soltan Family Forced from Home: Fiance Speaks Out

by Amy Judd | June 24, 2009 at 05:47 pm

1438 views | 75 Recommendations | 10 comments

Neda Agha-Soltan, the woman whose death has become a symbol for the Iranian Elections, according to The Guardain newspaper, her family has been forced from their home by the government.

According to neighbours of the family, her parents no longer live at their old address on Meshkini Street. It has also been reported that Neda's body was not given back to her family, her funeral was cancelled and she was buried in secret, and anyone mourning for her at mosques has been told they are not allowed.

"We just know that they [the family] were forced to leave their flat," a neighbour said. The Guardian was unable to contact the family directly to confirm if they had been forced to leave.

The government is also accusing protesters of killing Soltan, describing her as a martyr of the Basij militia. Javan, a pro-government newspaper, has gone so far as to blame the recently expelled BBC correspondent, Jon Leyne, of hiring "thugs" to shoot her so he could make a documentary film.

Police reportedly showed up at her family's house after they learned she had lived there and squashed any public displays of grief, while removing any signs of mourning. It was the next day that they were ordered to be moved out.

"We are trembling," one neighbour said. "We are still afraid. We haven't had a peaceful time in the last days, let alone her family. Nobody was allowed to console her family, they were alone, they were under arrest and their daughter was just killed. I can't imagine how painful it was for them. Her friends came to console her family but the police didn't let them in and forced them to disperse and arrested some of them. Neda's family were not even given a quite moment to grieve."

Neda's finace, Kaspeen Makan, has also spoken out about what happened on the weekend, saying that she was not politically affiliated.

"Neda wanted freedom, freedom for everyone," said Kaspeen Makan

Makan was interviewed by the BBC and spoke about what Neda had said in the past:

"She said a number of times that even if she dies and takes a bullet to the heart, which apparently is what happened, it will be a step forward. Neda, in her young age, taught a lesson to many people,"

Makan claims that she was shot by Besji snipers who were riding by on motorcycles on Amir Abad Street.

Makan said of Saturday's events, "When it happened, she was far away from the confrontations." According to him, she was there with her music teacher. After the event, he said, "They tried to evacuate her to a hospital, but she died in the arms of her teacher before getting there." He added that Neda was buried on Sunday evening in the cemetery in Tehran.

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Pythiian1

at 18:39 on June 24th, 2009

It's not surprising that the government has moved Neda's family to remove any possible symbolism of Neda's death among Iranians, whether or not they are dissidents. In light of the importance of martyrdom in Shia Islam, the government has to do everything in its power to suppress or revise the sequence of events to diminish Neda's death.

Paschen

at 19:08 on June 24th, 2009

This is making the tragedy even worth.

Mark Russell (not verified)

at 19:50 on June 24th, 2009

I've just seen the video and read a few news articles and am horrified that this sick violence by the Iranian state is going on. I guess this woman's death will come to symbolise the humanity both good and bad that makes up the Iranian state. When they (the perpertrators) of this crime come to trial I hope they never see the light of day.

Ali S (not verified)

at 03:31 on July 30th, 2009

Mark,thanks for being with freedom seekers in Iran,Neda is the sister of all Iranians now,but there will be no trial for her murderers though she was shot by Basijs (iranian branch of hezbollah),her real murderer is Khamenei ,he is the Devil himself,to let you know I went to the place where she was killed..the basijs have placed several flags with backward and brutal islamic words on them and hundreds of lamps making it to a place for Ceromony..!can you believe people with that much inhumanity..Russel She and all hundreds of whom were killed wanted to show the world that we are not with this government,we love all peolpe all arounf the world..do not believe what they say on our behalf...Do not let her die in Vain..we'll take her revenge....

thevacuum

at 23:26 on June 24th, 2009

This is what the dude was expecting would happen - protests > beatings > shootings = angry people = overthrow

AlvarezGalloso

at 08:13 on June 25th, 2009

Thanks for writing about Neda.

Indra Hime (not verified)

at 15:35 on June 25th, 2009

Neda - the Voice of Iran
Neda - You died for an idea and for peace. The whole world saw Your pain and death. You were innocent. But You weren't alone.
Neda - You died with open eyes.
Your last words: "I'm burning, i'm burning."
But now You are free. Now You live forever. In our hearts.

Indra Hime

Warsaw, Poland

René

at 20:11 on June 25th, 2009

This should show that the protests are not about just the election but about suppression and oppression which are obviously being used to try to stop and stifle the will of the people.