Qasem Bahrami, a freedom-loving poet known by the pen name "Sheidai Hamedani," said in a video message he released to end "rumors and concerns" that "I entered a big prison from a small one."
In this message, which was published on his brother's Instagram page along with a poem, he addresses those who were concerned about his "death under torture," without mentioning the details of his case or his release, saying, "There was no physical torture at all," and emphasizes, "Death is meaningless for those who are killed in the cause of freedom."
Qasem Bahrami was arrested by security agents in Mashhad on Wednesday, September 14, and taken to an unknown location.
On August 21, this monarchist poet criticized the policies of the Leader of the Islamic Republic by posting a video on Twitter in response to the increasing number of coronavirus deaths in Iran.
On September 17, Queen Farah Pahlavi, in response to the arrest of Qasem Bahrami, expressed hope for his release "from the clutches of this regime that is against culture, art, and literature," writing: "In all these years, the voices of artists have not been silenced, despite arrest and imprisonment."
International organizations and human rights institutions have repeatedly criticized the Islamic Republic government for human rights violations in Iran.
Source: Voice of America
