Dr. Ayda Rostami: A beacon of hope silenced by brutality

In the heart of Gorgan, northern Iran, on July 16, 1986, Ayda Rostami began her journey.
In the heart of Gorgan, northern Iran, on July 16, 1986, Ayda Rostami began her journey.

In the heart of Gorgan, northern Iran, on July 16, 1986, Ayda Rostami began her journey.

Tragically orphaned at the age of ten, Rostami battled life’s harshest blows to pursue her dreams. Her resilience bore fruit as she graduated medical school, a testament to her indomitable spirit.

Throughout her career, Rostami was a beacon of hope for those who needed her. With unyielding commitment to her oath, she consistently stepped forward to treat those in dire need. When Kermanshah’s lands quivered and homes crumbled, she was among the first to offer her services, nursing the injured and the broken.

Yet, her altruism shone brightest during the 2022 Iranian protests. Amidst the chaos, the 36-year-old physician headed to Tehran’s western regions and Ekbatan township.

 

With courage in her heart and medical tools in hand, she offered her services, treating those injured by the heavy hand of the security forces.
With courage in her heart and medical tools in hand, she offered her services, treating those injured by the heavy hand of the security forces.

 

However, December 12, 2022, marked a dark day. After tending to patients in the Ekbatan region and stepping out to get supplies from a pharmacy, Rostami never made her way home. A chilling message was delivered to her residence the following noon – her medical license, a stark reminder of her dedication. The local police stated she’d met a tragic end in a car accident and directed her family to retrieve her remains.

The sight that awaited them was heart-wrenching. Ayda’s once radiant face, particularly her right side, bore the brutal marks of violence. Her limbs displayed severe fractures, and her left eye was disturbingly stitched shut. Further examination revealed gruesome evidence of assault. Circumstantial evidence pointed fingers at security agents, painting a horrifying narrative of torture leading to Rostami’s death.

Despite clear signs of foul play, the regime sought to blur the truth. First, the coroner’s certificate labeled her death as an “accident.” Later, following public fury, they concocted a tale of her being cast off a bridge post an altercation.

 

Ayda Rostami's untimely demise under horrendous circumstances resonates as a somber reminder of the high cost some pay for their beliefs.
Ayda Rostami’s untimely demise under horrendous circumstances resonates as a somber reminder of the high cost some pay for their beliefs.

 

Rostami’s final farewell was marred with distress. Although the regime initially compelled a rushed burial in Tehran’s Behesht Zahra Cemetery, her family honored her wishes. On December 14, she was laid to rest in Imamzadeh Abdullah in Gorgan

Her undying commitment to her medical oath, even in the face of adversity, will forever inspire. Her legacy and spirit will continue to light the path for the brave women of Iran, guiding them towards a brighter future.

 

 

 


MEK Iran (follow us on Twitter and Facebook), Maryam Rajavi’s on her siteTwitter & Facebook, NCRI  (Twitter & Facebook), and People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran – MEK IRAN – YouTu