A Florida federal judge has allowed a human rights lawsuit to move forward against Parviz Sabeti, the alleged former chief torturer for Iran's deposed Shah. Sabeti, accused of directing torture and detention of thousands of opponents, had sought to dismiss the case based on statute of limitations arguments, but the judge rejected his plea.
The ruling allows victims of alleged torture under a former regime to pursue civil claims against a key figure, potentially setting a precedent for accountability for past human rights abuses.
A Florida federal judge has ruled that a human rights lawsuit against Parviz Sabeti, identified as the alleged former chief torturer for the deposed Shah of Iran, can move forward. Sabeti, who reportedly lived in central Florida, is accused of being the former head of Savak, the shah’s secret police and intelligence agency.
The lawsuit, brought by three former political prisoners under the Torture Victim Protection Act (TVPA), claims Sabeti directed and participated in the detention and torture of thousands of the shah’s political opponents until the Islamic revolution in 1979. The plaintiffs allege they were subjected to abuses including rape, electric shocks, near-drownings, and forced nail extraction.
Sabeti has denied the allegations, stating he was not personally involved in torture and always opposed it, characterizing his government employment as clerical work. His lawyers argued that the statute of limitations should prevent the case from proceeding, but Judge Gregory A Presnell rejected this demand. The judge had previously dismissed state law claims against Sabeti but ordered discovery on the TVPA claim.
Attorneys for the plaintiffs welcomed the ruling, emphasizing the importance of accountability for perpetrators of torture. The case highlights the ongoing scrutiny of Iran's regime and the strength of opposition among the Iranian expat community in the US.
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