Pilot Critical of Aviation Safety in Iran Arrested

A pilot critical of aircraft safety conditions in Iran has been arrested. Captain Amin Amirsadeghi had recently criticized flight safety conditions on a television program, but it remains unclear what charges he faces or the reason for his arrest.

Captain Amin Amirsadeghi reported his arrest on Sunday through an Instagram live broadcast by Police Station 111 Haft Hoz, expressing regret that he was being arrested “for the sake of people’s lives.” Mr. Amirsadeghi provided no explanation regarding the details of his charges, and the brief video, recorded on a mobile phone by a law enforcement officer, concluded abruptly.

He had recently appeared on the program “Hala Khorshid” on Islamic Republic of Iran’s Channel 3, where he stated that some airlines in Iran compel pilots to fly despite technical defects.

Amirsadeghi explained as an example that he had experienced three weeks of flights without brake number 3 functioning. Instead of repairing the brakes, technical officials disable the flight warning system.

Captain Amirsadeghi also stated that he and several other pilots refused to comply with this coercion and would not agree to fly unsafe aircraft.

Amin Amirsadeghi’s appearance on the live television program came after his revelations on social media, where he mentioned that he had a contract with Sepehran Airlines as a pilot until the end of the year. Previously, he was referred to as a “dismissed pilot” on some social media platforms.

According to statistics from the “Aviation Safety Network,” Iran’s airlines have experienced 31 fatal aviation accidents since 1989. In comparison, British Airways experienced only two crashes during the same period.

Source: Voice of America