Iranian security forces kill Kurdish artist along with his mother and sister
RastinewsPhotographer Mehdi Tevekkoli, his mother and his sister were killed after Iranian security forces opened fire on their car on the Sine-Meriwan road. The family was reportedly threatened not to speak publicly about the incident.
According to available information, the incident took place last night on the Sine-Meriwan highway.
Security forces opened fire on a vehicle driven by photographer and cultural activist Mehdi Tevekkoli. Tevekkoli, along with his mother and sister who were in the car, were killed at the scene.
The three victims were buried today following a funeral service at Beheşt-i Muhammedi Cemetery in Sine.
According to information obtained by Rudaw, security forces threatened the Tevekkoli family after the incident, warning them not to make any statement to the press.
The family was reportedly told to say only that the deaths resulted from a "traffic accident," and warned that funeral and mourning ceremonies would not be permitted otherwise.
Mehdi Tevekkoli was known as one of Rojhilat's prominent photographers. He held several photography exhibitions in the Kurdistan Region and served on the evaluation board of the Kurdistan Photography Festival held in Sulaymaniyah.
Beyond photography, Tevekkoli was also active in cultural events, notably helping organize Newroz celebrations in Sine. He had been detained several times before by Iranian security forces for this reason.
Source: Rudaw