Statement from Reza Haghighatnejad’s family to the people: We are not even informed which organization or entity has custody of Reza’s body.
People of Iran, it has been four days since our family has been trying to retrieve Reza Haghighatnejad’s body from the security forces, but not only are we still empty-handed, we are not even told which organization we should approach. It was and remains our rightful human desire to bury his body in his birthplace, Dezful, after all these years of forced separation, so that at least now, when seeing him is no longer possible, we can visit his grave and put an end to this bitter separation.
Despite prior coordination with the representatives of the Islamic Republic government and the issuance of an official permit for Reza’s body to be transferred to Iran for burial in his birthplace on the fifth of Aban, security agents seized his body from us at Shiraz airport on the fourth of Aban and took it to an unknown location.
From that shocking moment until today, aside from the pressures and threats, we have approached every organization and authority that came to mind for assistance. However, not only has no authority given us any response, but we are also not informed which organization or entity has custody of Reza’s body, and what the outcome of this torturous uncertainty will be.
We also feel obliged to express our gratitude to the countless people who love Reza throughout Iran and the world, who recognized him as a courageous journalist, a lover of Iran, and a seeker of joy and freedom for the people. They have stood by us with unity and solidarity during these difficult days, with the hope that Reza’s body, a part of us, will be returned to us as soon as possible, and we can share the news with you, the people. Saturday, seventh of Aban 1401.