The Central Party of Azerbaijan has issued a statement on the abduction of Habib Kaabi, one of the leaders of the Alahvaz Freedom Movement. Here is the content of the statement:
Since the establishment of the Iran Islamic Republic, they have repeatedly threatened, terrorized, and abducted their opponents, both on the inside and outside of the country. For several years, the Islamic Republic of Iran, along with large-scale executions, massacres, and arrests of dissidents inside the country, has also begun kidnapping and deporting dissidents from abroad. In recent years, the regime has continued to threaten, lie, and slander political and cultural activists abroad, especially non-Persians. The abduction and relocation of Habib Kaabi (Asivad), one of the leaders of the Alahwaz Freedom Movement, which represents the Arab people, is the latest example of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s regime’s terrorist activities outside Iran. According to the relatives of Mr. Kaabi, he went missing in this city after his visit to Istanbul on October 9, 2020.
The possibility of Habib Kaabi being abducted and taken to the country was confirmed by the Ministry of Security of the Islamic Republic of Iran a month later. The statement from the Ministry of Security contained footage of the political activist. It is unknown at this time where he is being held. Mr. Habib Kaabi, as one of the political activists and leaders of Al-Ahwaz, has been working for many years to realize the right of non-Persian peoples to self-determination. In this sense, he is respected not only among the Arab people but also among the national activists of non-Persian nations and those who believe in the ideas of democracy. For these and other reasons, the news of Habib Kaabi’s abduction was not sufficiently covered in the Persian media. The boycott of Mr. Kaabi’s abduction in the context of those reports and analysis, as a centrist and racist way of thinking, once again proves that the Islamic Republic of Iran’s country and foreign opposition will never gain the trust of non-Persian peoples. As has been repeatedly observed, those abducted by the Islamic Republic of Iran face the most severe torture and even death threats during interrogation. In this regard, concerns about the condition of Habib Kaaba are growing day by day. Given this important issue, the silence of political activists, groups, and organizations against the Iranian regime, in short, every freedom-loving person against the terrorist acts of the Islamic Republic of Iran, may aggravate the situation of Habib Kaabi.
We, the Central Party of Azerbaijan, recognize the abduction of Habib Kaabi by the Islamic Republic of Iran as a clear example of kidnapping and terrorism at the state level and condemn this act of the Islamic Republic of Iran. We believe that such actions by the regime are clear evidence of violations of human rights and international law. We hope that Mr. Habib Kaabi, as a Swedish citizen, will be released through the mediation of this country, the European Union, Turkey, and other countries, as well as international human rights organizations. Finally, let us emphasize that the Islamic Republic of Iran has not and will not harm the struggle of non-Persian peoples against tyranny and colonialism by committing such acts. It should be noted that political figures, groups, and organizations of non-Persian nations are aware of the intentions of the Islamic Republic of Iran to apply such threats. In this regard, they will work harder and harder to realize the rights of non-Persian peoples and will not shy away from fighting until justice is done.
