Opposition Figure Esmaeilion To Increase Role In Iran “Revolution”

Hamed Esmaeilion says he has resigned as president and spokesperson for the Association of Families of Flight PS752 Victims to dedicate himself to the “revolution” taking place in Iran.

The association has been fighting for truth and justice for the victims of a Ukrainian passenger plane shot down over Tehran more than three years ago.

Esmaeilion has emerged as a key opposition figure since the emergence of nationwide protests in September demanding fundamental economic, social and political reforms in Iran. He was among eight Iranian opposition figures who met at Georgetown University last month to discuss the future of the country’s pro-democracy movement.

"After the Woman, Life, Freedom revolution erupted in Iran, I and the families seeking justice stood in solidarity with the revolution," he said in a video released on March 7.

"After close consultation with the families of the association...I made the decision to increase my involvement to support the revolution in Iran.”

Esmaeilion said he will remain an active member of the Association of Families of Flight PS752 Victims.

The association said in statement that Kourosh Doustshenas was appointed as its new spokesperson, saying he has been “closely involved with government, legal, and advocacy efforts” since the organization was formed in 2020.

A new president is to be appointed in the coming months.

On January 8, 2020, Iran’s elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) fired two missiles at Ukraine International Airlines flight PS752 shortly after it took off from the Iranian capital. All 176 people onboard were killed, including 29 children.

Families and friends of those who died have been pushing for accountability, but they have been greeted with multiple hurdles along the way, including threats to their safety.