Iranian-Australian protestors outside the embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Canberra said sleepless nights, days of despair, and hours of protesting in the sun will not stop their demonstrations. Neither will the arrests of family members in Iran because of their activism.

The protests were sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini in Tehran, the capital of Iran, on 16 September 2022 following her arrest by the morality police for allegedly wearing her hijab incorrectly.

Protests across Iran have continued against their government, and Iranian-Australians are calling on the Australian government to remove Iranian officials from the embassy in Canberra.

Canberra protests continue

A week after a protestor was “slammed into the ground by a police officer” outside the Iranian embassy in Canberra on 9 February, Canberra Daily met with the protestors on site.

A video posted to social media showed protestor Hamid Sotounzadeh and a police officer engaging in a confrontation and the officer telling Mr Sotounzadeh to “get back”.

He is then seen to be tackled and restrained by police on the ground.

Friend of Mr Sotounzadeh, Ali Beikzadeh, said he has been left with fractures in his lower back, neck, and ribs, and a subsequent video has been posted from hospital showing him in a neck brace.

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) told the AAP a person outside the embassy was detained for a short time after acting in an “aggressive manner towards the AFP members”.

A spokesperson for the AFP said Mr Sotounzadeh was handcuffed but released after complaining of back pain and an ambulance was called.

One week after the incident, protestors Mr Beikzadeh and Deniz Toupchi said they were continuing to have a “good” relationship with the AFP.

“A certain incident happened with a certain individual, which will be investigated immediately,” Mr Beikzadeh said.

“But we do not intend creating any bad relationships with the police and, thus far, we still have a good relationship with them.”

Attacks on Australians by Iranian government

Standing with signs outside the embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mr Beikzadeh and Ms Toupchi told CW they’re not only speaking out for their country, but for the safety of all Australians.

“We are here for the interest of not only our brothers and sisters in Iran to overthrow the gender apartheid dictatorial regime, the Islamic fascist regime in Iran, but also we are working in the interest of Australians to ensure the betterment and the safety of Australians,” Mr Beikzadeh said.  

“The Islamic fascist regime has agents working here in Australia that are not only using Australia as a financial haven, a haven for finances, assets, and travel, but they’re also disseminating their radical ideology, as per the constitution of the Islamic Republic, here in Australia.”

Other Iranian activists have also claimed the Iranian government are watching Australians.

Former hostage and British-Australian academic, Kylie Moore-Gilbert, told the ABC the Iranian government have been monitoring her movements along with the activities of Australians who speak out against its human rights abuses.

Dr Moore-Gilbert said Iranian-Australians attending protests across Australia are reporting that their families in Iran have been targeted by regime operatives in Australia.

Ms Toupchi told CW the claims are true in her family. Her mother-in-law was arrested around a month ago in Iran, predominantly because of her and her husband’s activities in Australia, she said.

“They [the Iranian government] asked lots of questions about us. It’s a kind of suppression – in Australia, in a democratic country,” Ms Toupchi said.

“They can’t hurt us here, but they try as much as they can to suppress all the Iranians who are fighting for their basic rights.”  

Mr Beikzadeh shared a similar story, and said he has family and friends in Iran currently on house arrest.

“I can’t say any names, and to summarise, that it’s the fear and the anticipation of the unknown, what can happen any second or minute now,” he said.

“I don’t know a single Iranian, part of the diaspora community, that does not have family in Iran.”

In a report tabled in federal parliament in January, the government revealed Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)-affiliated actors have committed targeted cyber attacks on organisations in Australia.

Reportedly, the aim of the attacks is to use the obtained data for extortion.

While the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has implemented a sanction regime against Iran and raised human rights concerns, it has not disclosed whether the IRGC will be listed as a terrorist organisation.

Mr Beikzadeh is calling on the federal government to designate the IRGC as a terrorist organisation.

“We will be protesting in Australia, whatever it takes … until the Islamic Republic regime is eradicated from Australia,” he said.

“Australia must cut all ties with the Islamic Republic regime and, until that day comes forth, we will continue our activism – no ifs or buts.”

Australian support

Ms Toupchi said this is the first revolution led by women in Iran and is calling on Australian women and feminist activists to support their protest.

Mr Beikzadeh said the support from the Australian community has been increasing, likening the encouragement to a “snowball effect”.

“This is a feminist, I guess, initiated revolution, thus, until now we’ve seen a lot of individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, feminists, animal rights activists, environmentalists, conservationists …,” he said.

“It’s not only a human rights issue; it’s really a collective issue from all aspects.”

According to Mr Beikzadeh, social media is a “profound tool” in this case and he has asked the Canberra community to spread awareness “as much as possible”.

“As well as that, please contact all government representatives, all Australian government representatives,” he said.

“[They] are key actors in making change in the Iranian revolution but also in making a better Australia and eradicating these terrorists from Australia.

“Fight for Iran, fight for Australia, fight for humanity. Woman, life, freedom,” Mr Beikzadeh said.

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