Daughter Of German Held In Iran Files Complaint Against Judiciary

Der Spiegel has learned that Gazelle Sharmahd wants the federal prosecutor's office to investigate “crimes against humanity” in collaboration with the Berlin-based European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR).

Iran’s judiciary approved the death sentence of Sharmahd in April for alleged involvement in terrorism.

The news of Sharmahd’s kidnapping in Dubai and transfer to Tehran by regime agents was first released in August 2020. He was accused of heading a pro-monarchist group, Kingdom Assembly of Iran, behind a deadly 2008 bombing and planning other attacks across the country.

Based in Los Angeles, the little-known group seeks to restore the Iranian monarchy that was overthrown by the 1979 Islamic revolution. It also runs pro-Iranian opposition radio and television stations abroad.

"My father's case is representative of thousands of Iranians and dozens of European citizens who have experienced the same thing," Gazelle Sharmahd told Spiegel.

From July 2022, several trials were held and at the end of February 2023 he was sentenced to death for "corruption on earth". His sentence could be enforced at any time.

Gazelle claims her father has been tortured since his incarceration. He is being held in solitary confinement at an unknown location receiving no medication for his Parkinson's disease and diabetes. He was also repeatedly physically abused.

Gazelle hopes that possible judicial investigations will increase the pressure on the federal government to fight for her father's case.