Far-right praise for shah’s secret police puts Reza Pahlavi on the spot
Summary
Reza Pahlavi, son of Iran’s last shah, has distanced himself from his supporters’ praise of the shah’s secret police, Savak, known for repression and torture during his father’s rule. Pahlavi faces criticism as some of his followers use symbols linked to authoritarianism while he claims to promote democracy and transition from Iran’s current Islamic regime.Key Facts
- Savak was the secret police under Iran’s last shah and known for torture and repression.
- Reza Pahlavi has lived outside Iran for 48 years and wants to lead a move to democracy.
- Some of Pahlavi’s supporters praise Savak and display its symbols at rallies.
- Pahlavi has publicly criticized these displays but in a cautious way.
- The US and Israel once considered former Iranian president Ahmadinejad as a possible replacement if Iran’s regime fell.
- Critics say praising Savak contradicts Pahlavi’s democratic claims and shows signs of authoritarianism in his camp.
- Supporters have used slogans and behavior that resemble nationalist and authoritarian rhetoric.
- Pahlavi has had tense interactions with journalists covering his political role.
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