Full English Transcript of the Interview
Many activists outside Iran believe that officials of the Islamic Republic regime have turned Iran into a hell for its people, yet they send their own children abroad to enjoy welfare, security, jobs, and educational and academic opportunities. One of these activists is Ladan Bazargan, a political and human rights activist. Ms. Bazargan, these days you have been very active regarding the case of Fatemeh Larijani. Who is Fatemeh Larijani, where does she live, and what does she do?
Hello to you and your viewers, and my condolences to the brave people of Iran. Fatemeh Larijani is the daughter of Ali Larijani. Her mother is from the Motahhari family, whose brothers have all been in power. Along with her uncles and relatives, they have turned our country into an unbearable hell for more than 47 years, and then they send their own children abroad. She continued her studies in medicine and works at a university-affiliated hospital in Atlanta. It is also said that she herself had cancer, which makes this issue even more dramatic, considering that her uncles and relatives chant “Death to America,” while Iran has been under severe sanctions for over 40 years and thousands of Iranians lack access to medicine. Yet they send their own children abroad, to America for treatment, education, and a better life, while calling it the “Great Satan” and burning its flag. This is unacceptable to us.
We contacted the U.S. Congress, the Oversight Committee, and the Education Committee, and demanded that this case be investigated. We are also in contact with the State Department, and other friends in Atlanta have organized protests. We will make sure that she cannot continue working at this university. While we believe in the principle of individual criminal responsibility, when you come from a family that has benefited from every kind of privilege and resource, and now you walk freely in the United States without condemning the crimes of this regime, we will not allow this to continue.
Ms. Bazargan, can your efforts be supported legally? From a legal standpoint, what can be done?
Legally speaking, her case is currently under review. They are examining how she received a green card during President Biden’s administration. The issue is that they lie in their files. I honestly say that I am glad the State Department is reviewing this. We need to see what answers she gave on her green card application and what actions she took. Experience has shown us that pressure works. Just as our campaigns against regime affiliates led to Mohammad Jafar Mahallati, Iran’s ambassador to the UN during the crimes of the 1980s, being expelled from Oberlin College; forced Seyed Mohammad Mousavian, Iran’s ambassador to Germany during the chain murders, to be retired by Princeton University; led to Seyed Ali Akbar Mousavi Khoeini being expelled from George Mason University; and now we are working to remove Shirin Saeedi from the University of Arkansas. Pressure works. People must cooperate and stay active. They should stop saying these actions have no effect. Sustained pressure is effective, and these cases can be pursued legally and stopped. For years, they have used their connections, money spread across institutions, and financial support to universities but pressure works.
Ms. Bazargan, do you know who Fatemeh Larijani’s husband is and what he does?
Yes, her husband is Seyed Mohammad Kalantar Motamed. He was accepted to Indiana University to study, and Fatemeh accompanied him. Both studied at Indiana University and obtained advanced specializations. Now, I believe he works at an important research university in Cleveland. From a security standpoint, they pose risks to the United States, because they have access to patients’ personal information. These are matters that truly endanger U.S. national security, and we must be vigilant and stop them. Hundreds of students inside the U.S. cannot obtain these positions or enter these specialties so how is it that these two arrive and reach such positions? If you look on Twitter, even former classmates have said that Motamed barely attended classes and was simply given grades. And now he holds such a position. We have spoken to Congress about this as well, and we hope to reach results.
Has Ms. Larijani herself reacted or made any statements so far?
We have not seen any reaction. Generally, they keep a low profile and try not to engage publicly so they can live quietly here. In my opinion, they are even involved in their father’s money laundering. They do not come here empty-handed, there are certainly hands behind this. They entered this country for larger projects and are endangering U.S. security and the safety of Iranians living in the United States.
I’ve heard that she does not use the Larijani surname, is that correct?
Well, her profile at the university does show it, but when she sees patients, she uses the name Ardeshir instead of her own family name. We have made several calls to the hospital and filed complaints there as well. We are now considering how to hire a lawyer in Atlanta to pursue this case further.
You have explained many points, but as a human rights activist, some people ask: regardless of numbers, there are those who say, “Her father is Larijani, but she herself has the right to life.” As a human rights activist, what is your response to them?
As I said, we believe in the principle of individual criminal responsibility. But you cannot use all of your father’s privileges throughout your life and reach where you are, and then claim neutrality. If this woman were an ordinary person, she would not have become a doctor. Without going through the same legal paths others must take (entrance exams and the like) she and her husband entered the best universities, including the University of Tehran, and completed their education. They benefited from facilities created by the Islamic Republic’s Foreign Ministry in the United States, obtained these admissions, entered top positions, and received various awards. We are now investigating all of this (where did the money for these awards come from?) There are large personal donations to universities and research centers. This is a very serious issue. We must determine where the Islamic Republic is spending the Iranian people’s oil money. Inside Iran they chant “Death to America” and burn its flag, yet they send their own children here. If America is bad, then your children should not be here either. Either you allow the Iranian people to live a normal life, or we will deny that normal life to your own children as well.
Yes, that was Ladan Bazargan, political and human rights activist. Thank you for being with us on the program.
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