BEATEN TO DEATH FOR USING THE INTERNET.
Hesam Alaeddin. 40 years old. Father of two.
He was not trying to topple a regime. He just wanted access to the internet, while the Iranian regime has kept 90 million people in an information blackout for 62 days.
He had a Starlink and he shared the connection with his neighbours.
It cost him his life.
His brother Hamid had already been shot by the regime during the protests. Hesam went to the authorities to ask about his brother’s condition. That was the first time they noticed him.
A week later they came to his home. They found the Starlink device. And then they beat him to death…on the spot…with whatever they had at hand.
The authorities then concealed his death. They treated him outwardly as if he were still alive - a living detainee. His family did not know what had happened. They waited, but heard nothing.
Finally they received his body.
But only after they signed a document agreeing to stay silent.
He was buried in secret. Under police guard. So that no one would see.
Reza Pahlavi stated:
“The brutal and criminal Islamic regime killed Hesam Alaeddin under torture. For 62 days the regime has shut down the internet and continues to massacre the Iranian people. The world cannot keep silent.”
But the world stays silent. Mostly.
And that brings me to what makes me most angry and sad.
Our politicians - across the world - are looking the other way. Either because they cannot be bothered. Or because they hate Trump and Israel so much that they cannot bring themselves to support anything that benefits the “wrong” side - even when it costs innocent people their lives.
Let me say it as it is.
While Hesam Alaeddin - and MANY others - were beaten to death in their own home for sharing an internet connection with their neighbours, you were busy condemning Israel. While his family signed a document of silence to get his body back, you were busy calling Trump’s Iran policy irresponsible.
While Iranians are dying, you are prioritising your political image.
This has NOTHING to do with politics. It is cowardice in the extreme.
And you should be ashamed. As should every single person who follows in your footsteps - who shares your narrative and defends your silence. This is nothing less than moral collapse.
Hesam Alaeddin deserved better. His children deserve better. The Iranian people deserve better.
And you - who have the power to speak up but choose not to - you are complicit in the price of silence. I hope your conscience catches up with you at some point and forces you to look yourself in the eye. Good luck with that!❤️🔥🪽✝️
*Hesam in the picture - with AI graphic