Demonic Thinking Is Widespread Among the Oppressive Rulers of the Islamic Republic – Masoud Farhikhteh, Political Prisoner

In the late twentieth century, Roy Baumeister, a social psychologist, put forward the theory of the demonic myth, known as victim blaming. The demonic myth is one of the defining characteristics of dictatorial and authoritarian regimes. Through skill and manipulation, such regimes shift the blame for their own sins and evil deeds onto their victims.

Within the framework of the demonic myth, the devil never believes he has done anything wrong and always holds his victims responsible.

This demonic way of thinking is rampant among the oppressive rulers of the Islamic Republic and their rigid, fanatical supporters. Tragically, during this year’s bloody month of Dey, the devilish rulers of the Islamic Republic—seeking to preserve their survival and continue their plunder and looting of public wealth—portrayed the protesting, freedom-seeking citizens of this land as a foreign enemy, despite the massive and nationwide presence of an outraged population. Through deceit and manipulation, they presented themselves as acting in “legitimate self-defense” against armed terrorists and criminals.

Yet the streets told a different story: they were filled with the sanctified bodies of Iran’s finest children—especially young people who came forward empty-handed, solely to protest the current tyrannical and oppressive system. The oppressive rulers instead targeted their innocent hearts with live ammunition.

These unjust rulers now seek, through deception and false propaganda, to invert reality—to portray their own criminal, repressive acts of violence, arrest, imprisonment, execution, and mass killing as justified, and to blame all the freedom-seekers who were killed on the path to liberty for the catastrophe of genocide committed on the Black Thursday and Friday of Dey 18 and 19.

The embezzling, rent-seeking rulers—who for 47 years have been responsible for poverty, misery, and the bleak fate of this nation—have laid upon the people all the problems and calamities that they themselves created and imposed on the country from every direction.

With hope, confidence, and absolute certainty, I emphasize that the people of Iran will soon embrace the beloved of freedom, and that the architects and perpetrators of this horrific crime and immense genocide of the Black Thursday and Friday of Dey 140—will soon be brought before competent courts and held accountable for their actions.

But the most painful and horrifying aspect of this vast massacre was the targeting of the hearts of countless schoolchildren—the future builders of this land—who, filled with dreams and hope, were forever silenced by the bullets of criminals. Teachers and civil activists are expected not to fail in seeking justice for the innocent blood spilled from these adolescents and young people whose lives were cut short. History will hold us accountable for how we responded to the demand for justice for our innocent and murdered children.

Tragically, a number of courageous teachers were also killed during this bloody month of Dey, while others were arrested and imprisoned. It is the duty of labor activists and professional associations to commit all their strength—as required by historical and moral responsibility—to the path of justice.

There is not much time left to choose and move along the right path. Seeking justice and standing in solidarity at the moment of such profound vulnerability and oppression is the true meaning of dynamic and sincere activism. When tyranny is cast aside and voices are finally freed, we will undoubtedly be asked: What did you do during those bloody days for all those defenseless lives that were taken? That day is one on which we must stand tall before our conscience and before history.

In hope of Iran’s freedom and the celebration of the Festival of the Sun.

Karaj Central Prison, Ward 16

Masoud Farhikhteh is a teacher and labor activist from Alborz Province, Iran. He is currently detained as a political prisoner in Karaj Central Prison (Ward 16) for his civic and union activities. This text is republished in its original form to preserve the author’s voice.