Israel
Murdered Iranian protester Neda's fiance slammed for Israel visit
The fiancé of Neda Agha-Soltan, killed during the Iranian protests last year, has been strongly criticised by Iranians for meeting Israel’s Shimon Peres.
March 26, 2010 16:38
The fiancé of Neda Agha-Soltan, killed during the Iranian protests last year, has been strongly criticised by Iranians for meeting Israel’s Shimon Peres.
March 26, 2010 16:38The fiancé of Neda Agha-Soltan, killed during the Iranian protests last year, has been strongly criticised by Iranians for meeting Israel’s President Shimon Peres.
Neda became the symbol of the resistance in Iran after she was killed during last June’s protests against President Ahmadinejad’s regime.
Her fiancé Caspian Makan, who claims he was tortured by the Iranian police after Neda’s death, has met President Peres in Israel.
But many members of the “Green Movement”, who oppose the regime in Iran were quick to distance themselves from Mr Makan’s association with Israel.
A Facebook group for Green Movement members to condemn Mr Makan has 500 signatories, and Neda’s mother Hajar Rostami, told the BBC that Mr Makan does not represent the views of the family. There were even suggestions that the couple were not engaged.
The Iranian-backed broadcaster, Press TV, published a piece on its website during Mr Makan’s visit to Israel, calling him a “suspect” in Neda’s murder. Comments on the site suggested that Mr Makan was a Mossad agent, who killed Neda and then returned to his homeland.
During his visit, Mr Makan told Israel’s Channel 2 television: “I have come here out of the brotherhood of nations.
“Neda was just a voice that yearned for freedom. In the name of this cause she joined the protesters and this is why she was murdered by agents of the regime,”
“The Iranian people is aware of the rights it is being denied. Today the Iranian people is steadfast to achieve victory and to overthrow the current regime.”
He added: “I come to Israel as an ambassador of the Iranian people, a messenger from the camp of peace” and “I have no doubt that Neda’s spirit and soul feels the sensitivity and warmth I received in this meeting.”
President Peres said: “You can murder a person, but not a spirit. One candle can scatter a lot of darkness. And this candle will not be extinguished. In this struggle, I am sure that the progressive and moral Iran will emerge victorious.”