Victims' Families Urge Boycott of Iran's Upcoming Presidential Elections
As Iran approaches its snap presidential elections, families of slain protestors and activists are urging the public to boycott the event.
Goljahan Ashrafpour, the mother of Akbar Mohammadi, a student activist who died in prison, called the elections "a charade", speaking from her hospital bed.
Atash Shakrami, the aunt of 16-year-old Nika Shakrami, a protestor killed during Iran’s 2022 nationwide uprising, spoke out on Instagram.
"The hands of every government agent are stained with the blood of the nation's children," she stated, underscoring the pain and anger felt by many families who have lost loved ones under the regime oppression.
Writing on Instagram, Foad Choobin, the uncle of 17-year-old Artin Rahmani, killed during the protests in November 2022, reminded the public of the tragic events that took his nephew's life.
"We will not forget that in November 2022, agents of the Islamic Republic shot at us and killed Artin...we will not participate in this election circus…we will not vote for any of the 6 candidates who whitewash Khamenei’s crimes," he wrote.
In recent days many activists, student unions, and prominent opposition figures of the Islamic Republic have called for the boycott of the elections.
Like the March parliamentary elections, turnout is expected to be at record lows. At least two thirds of Iranians revealed they do not plan to vote, according to latest figures.
Snap elections take place on June 28 after the sudden death of Ebrahim Raisi in a freak helicopter crash last month.
