Iran’s Crown Prince calls on world to support Iranian people amid protests in Munich

Reza Pahlavi, son of former Iranian shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, participates in the Munich Security Conference, Germany. Marijan Murat/AP The exiled crown prince of Iran, Reza Pahlavi, asked this Saturday (14) that the international community supports the Iranians, while around 250,000 people participated in a protest in Munich, Germany, according to police. The demonstration took place on the sidelines of a meeting of world leaders and responded to Pahlavi’s call for greater international pressure on Tehran. With drums, flags and chants for regime change, the rally was part of what Pahlavi called a “global day of action” in support of Iranians after national protests left people dead. He also called for mobilizations in Los Angeles and Toronto. The police stated that the public exceeded the organizers’ expectations. The crowd chanted slogans such as “change, change, regime change” and displayed green-white-red flags with the lion and sun symbols used by the country before the 1979 Islamic Revolution that overthrew the Pahlavi dynasty. READ ALSO: BBC investigation reveals network of men who record women on nights out around the world and sell videos on the internet Americans and Europeans defend unity at security conference In a press conference, Pahlavi warned of the risk of more deaths if “democracies just watch” the Iranian government’s repression of last month’s protests. “We come together at a time of profound danger to ask: will the world stand with the people of Iran?” According to him, the permanence of the current government “sends a clear signal to any tyrant: kill enough people and you will remain in power.” In Toronto, around 350,000 people also marched as part of the so-called Global Day of Action, according to local police. At the protest in Munich, some demonstrators wore red caps with the slogan “Make Iran Great Again”, in reference to the political motto popularized by supporters of United States President Donald Trump. US Senator Lindsey Graham was among those wearing the accessory and spoke to the audience. Republican Party US Senator Lindsey Graham waves to supporters of Iran’s exiled crown prince, wearing a cap with “Make Iran Great Again”, a reinterpretation of Donald Trump’s motto in the USA. Ebrahim Noroozi/AP Posters with images of Pahlavi were also seen at the demonstration, with some calling him a king. Son of the deposed shah, he has lived in exile for almost 50 years and tries to present himself as a relevant figure in the country’s political future. Protesters shouted “Pahlavi for Iran” and “democracy for Iran” while playing drums and cymbals. One of the participants, Daniyal Mohtashamian, who traveled from Zurich, said he wanted to represent Iranians facing repression inside the country. “There is an internet blackout, and their voices cannot leave Iran,” he said. Around 500 people also protested in front of the presidential palace in Nicosia, Cyprus, with banners against the Iranian government and in favor of Pahlavi. The United States-based Human Rights Activists News Agency says at least 7,005 people died in last month’s protests, including 214 members of the security forces. The group says it relies on a network of activists in the country to verify the data. Protesters in favor of the crown prince of Iran, in Munich. Ebrahim Noroozi/AP The Iranian government only released an official toll, on January 21, reporting 3,117 deaths. Iranian authorities have previously been accused of under-reporting victims during periods of unrest. The Associated Press was unable to independently verify the death toll as internet access and international communications were disrupted in Iran. The country also came under pressure again from Trump, who has threatened military action and wants Tehran to further scale back its nuclear program. On Friday, he said regime change in Iran “would be the best thing that could happen.” The day before, Iran had already been the subject of protests in Munich during the opening of an annual security conference that brings together European leaders and international authorities. Supporters of the opposition group Iran’s People’s Mujahedin also participated in the demonstrations.

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