Mohamadreza Rostam Begloo: Message to the Torturer

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Each of us have perhaps found ourselves in a situation where we have been bullied by somebody in a powerful position, and remained silent out of expediency or fear. He or she may have been a friend, the neighborhood bully, an interrogator, or even a murderer.

Now imagine that years after the distressing event you have the chance to talk to that person and tell him how you felt, what you think and whatever else is on your mind.

IranWire asked a number of political and civil activists and artists who have been the victims of interrogators, or have been forced to be separated from their families, to imagine they are in the interrogation room and are able to talk to their bully, send him a message, or speak to those responsible for victimizing their family members.

In the second part of this series, Mohammad Tangestani asked Mohammad Reza Haj Rostam Beglou, a 41-year-old poet from Tehran, to send a message to his interrogator. Beglou, who has a degree in agricultural engineering, was arrested on December 16, 2015 and charged with “spreading falsehood” and “sacrilege”. He was released from prison on a bail amount of $23,000 a few days later. After his release, he left Iran. 

IranWire has recorded a number of messages from victims. And perhaps you have had similar experiences as well. If you have, we ask you to participate in this project. For more information — technical or otherwise — email us at [email protected]