Freiburg/Isfahan (dpa/lsw) – Precisely because of the system-critical mass protests in Iran, Freiburg’s Mayor Martin Horn wants to stick to the controversial town twinning with Isfahan in central Iran. The non-party politician told the “Badische Zeitung” (Saturday) that there has been criticism of this since the beginning of the partnership.
It is aimed at the Iranian regime. “We share the criticism, we also bring it up to our Isfahan colleagues. But we don’t have a partnership with the Iranian regime, we have a partnership with the city of Isfahan,” said Horn. “And now, of all times, when tens of thousands are taking to the streets across the country, where courageous women and men are demonstrating for their rights, should we turn away? In my opinion, that would send the wrong signal!”
The mayor said he was at a rally by Iranian associations against the government in Iran and for human rights. “I spoke to the organizational team there, almost all of them from Iran. Nobody wanted this partnership to end or become politicized.”
The protests in Iran were triggered by the death of the Iranian Kurd Mahsa Amini. The vice squad arrested her for allegedly violating Islamic dress codes. The woman died in police custody on September 16. Since then, thousands have been demonstrating across the country against the government’s repressive course and the Islamic system of rule. According to reports, security forces have repeatedly used violence against them, and there are said to be deaths.
