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{{Short description|Iranian monarchist (born 1941, disappeared 2007)}}
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'''Frood Fouladvand''' ({{lang-fa|فرود فولادوند}}; born 26 November, 1941) was an [[Iranian people|Iranian]] [[Actor|actor]], [[Film director|film director]], [[Playwright|playwright]], [[Screenwriter|screenwriter]], [[Monarchism in Iran|monarchist]], and founder of the group [[Kingdom Assembly of Iran|Kingdom Assembly of Iran (API)]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|date=2020-06-26|title=With history of killings, abductions Turkey is no safe haven for Iranian dissidents|url=https://english.alarabiya.net/features/2020/06/26/With-history-of-killings-abductions-Turkey-is-no-safe-haven-for-Iranian-dissidents|access-date=2021-12-29|website=Al Arabiya English|language=en}}</ref> He was known for his political activism and vocal opposition to the Iranian government,<ref>{{Cite news|last=Audi|first=Tamara|date=2010-05-10|title=U.S.-Iran Feud Hits L.A.|language=en-US|work=Wall Street Journal|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704866204575224170226999284|access-date=2021-12-29|issn=0099-9660}}</ref> as well as his prolific film career in Iran and Egypt.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|title=Fathollah Manoochehri|url=http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2159178/|access-date=2021-12-29|website=IMDb}}</ref>{{Better source needed|date=December 2021}} He and two other API members disappeared in January 2007 near [[Yüksekova]] in Turkey near the [[Iran-Turkey border]] whilst on what was described by his supporters as a mission to "liberate" Iran.<ref name=":3" /> It is presumed that he was aubducted by [[Ministry of Intelligence (Iran)|Iranian security forces]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Three who went missing in Turkey believed detained in Tehran|url=http://www.payvand.com/news/08/jun/1134.html|access-date=2021-12-29|website=www.payvand.com}}</ref>

{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = Frood Fouladvand
| name = Frood Fouladvand
| title =
| title =
| image = Frood_Fouladvand.jpg
| image =
| image_size =
| image_size =
| caption = Frood Fouladvand on his TV Programme
| caption = Frood Fouladvand on his TV Programme
Line 11: Line 9:
| birth_place = [[Shah Valeh]], [[Azna County|Azna]], [[Lorestan Province|Lorestan]], [[Pahlavi Iran|Iran]]
| birth_place = [[Shah Valeh]], [[Azna County|Azna]], [[Lorestan Province|Lorestan]], [[Pahlavi Iran|Iran]]
| disappeared_date = 17 January 2007
| disappeared_date = 17 January 2007
| disappeared_place = [[Yüksekova]], [[Hakkâri]], [[Turkey]]
| disappeared_place = [[Yüksekova]], [[Hakkâri Province|Hakkâri]], [[Turkey]]
| disappeared_status = Presumed to have been aubducted by Iranian security forces
| disappeared_status = {{Missing for|2007|1|17}}, presumed to have been abducted by Iranian security forces
| death_date =
| death_date =
}}
}}
⚫
'''Frood Fouladvand''' ({{langx|fa|فرود فولادوند}}; born 26 November 1941) was an [[Iranian peoples|Iranian]] [[actor]], [[film director]], [[playwright]], [[screenwriter]], [[Monarchism in Iran|monarchist]], and founder of the group [[Kingdom Assembly of Iran|Kingdom Assembly of Iran (API)]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|date=2020-06-26|title=With history of killings, abductions Turkey is no safe haven for Iranian dissidents|url=https://english.alarabiya.net/features/2020/06/26/With-history-of-killings-abductions-Turkey-is-no-safe-haven-for-Iranian-dissidents|access-date=2021-12-29|website=Al Arabiya English|language=en}}</ref> He was known for his political activism and vocal opposition to the Iranian government,<ref name=":7">{{Cite news|last=Audi|first=Tamara|date=2010-05-10|title=U.S.-Iran Feud Hits L.A.|language=en-US|work=Wall Street Journal|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704866204575224170226999284|access-date=2021-12-29|issn=0099-9660}}</ref> as well as his prolific film career in Iran and Egypt.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|title=Fathollah Manoochehri|url=http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2159178/|access-date=2021-12-29|website=IMDb}}</ref>{{Better source needed|date=December 2021}} He and two other API members disappeared in January 2007 near [[Yüksekova]] in Turkey near the [[Iran–Turkey border]] whilst on what was described by his supporters as a mission to "liberate" Iran.<ref name=":3" /> It is presumed that he was abducted by [[Ministry of Intelligence (Iran)|Iranian security forces]].<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|title=Three who went missing in Turkey believed detained in Tehran|url=http://www.payvand.com/news/08/jun/1134.html|access-date=2021-12-29|website=www.payvand.com|archive-date=2021-12-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211229145512/http://www.payvand.com/news/08/jun/1134.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>



==Life before politics==
==Life before politics==
⚫
Frood Fouladvand was born as Fathollah Manouchehri in the [[Lorestan Province]] of [[Iran]]. He belonged to the Fouladvand tribe, who are [[Bakhtiari people|Bakhtiari Lurs]].<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://www.gisoom.com/book/11117682/کتاب-فولادوندنامه-مویه-بر-تبار/ |title=فولادوندنامه (مویه بر تبار) |year=2014 |publisher=Intishārāt-i Shāpūr Khvāst |isbn=978-600-260-070-7 |language=fa}}</ref> During the [[Pahlavi Iran|Imperial Era]], he worked as a playwright, director, actor, screenwriter and voice dubber.<ref name=":2" />{{Better source needed|date=December 2021}} Fouladvand enjoyed much domestic success in his roles, and was one of the important figures in the film dubbing industry.{{Citation needed|date=December 2021}} Fouladvand did all of his artistic work under his birth name, Fathollah Manouchehri.
{{More citations needed section|date=December 2021}}
⚫
Frood Fouladvand was born as Fathollah Manouchehri in the [[Lorestan Province|Lorestan Province]] of [[Iran]]. He belonged to the Fouladvand tribe, who are [[Bakhtiari people|Bakhtiari Lurs]].{{Citation needed|date=December 2021}} During the [[Pahlavi Iran|Imperial Era]], he worked as a playwright, director, actor, screenwriter and voice dubber.<ref name=":2" />{{Better source needed|date=December 2021}} Fouladvand enjoyed much domestic success in his roles, and was one of the important figures in the film dubbing industry.{{Citation needed|date=December 2021}} Fouladvand did all of his artistic work under his birth name, Fathollah Manouchehri.


On the advent of the Iranian Revolution, Fouladvand would leave Iran, going to [[Turkey]], [[Egypt]], [[Germany]], and finally the [[United Kingdom]]. He would adopt the name [[Farud|Frood]], as he felt it was more Iranian-sounding than [[Fathallah|Fathollah]], which means "The Victory of [[Allah]]" in [[Arabic]].
On the advent of the Iranian Revolution, Fouladvand would leave Iran, going to [[Turkey]], [[Egypt]], [[Germany]], and finally the [[United Kingdom]], where he remained a resident until his disappearance. He would adopt the name [[Farud|Frood]], as he felt it was more Iranian-sounding than [[Fathallah|Fathollah]], which means "The Victory of [[Allah]]" in [[Arabic]].


==Political activities==
==Political activities==
Fouladvand was an advocate for the overthrow of the [[Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran|Iranian Government]] and a restoration of [[Monarchism in Iran|Monarchy in Iran]]. Ideologically, he was a proponent of secularism and was known for being a very harsh [[Criticism of Islam|critic of Islam]], viewing it as an anti-Iranian religion.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|date=July 2015|title=Iran: Political Opposition Groups, Security Forces, Selected Human Rights Issues, Rule of Law : COI Compilation|url=https://www.refworld.org/pdfid/559baae44.pdf|url-status=live|access-date=29 Dec 2021|website=Austrian Red Cross - Austrian Centre for Country of Origin & Asylum Research and Documentation (ACCORD)}}</ref> He resided in the United Kingdom whilst he was politically active.<ref name=":4" /> On 17 June 2005 he and three other API members were arrested in several raids by armed police, and involving [[MI5]], on suspicion of terrorism.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2005-06-17|title=Four arrests in anti-terror raids|language=en-GB|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4102400.stm|access-date=2021-12-29}}</ref> According to a [[Proceeds of Crime Act 2002|Section 298 (2)]] "Application for Forfeiture of Detained Cash" document, it was suspected that they were intending to illegally overthrow the Iranian government. His supporters condemned the arrests and associated raid, claiming that police had "destroy[ed] everything in their path" as they tried to "silence" Fouladvand, and had "brutally assaulted" him and three of his supporters.<ref>{{Cite web|title=IranSara|url=http://iransara.info/Tondar-MI5-Forces.htm|access-date=2021-12-29|website=iransara.info}}</ref>
Fouladvand was an advocate for the overthrow of the [[Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran|Iranian Government]] and a restoration of [[Monarchism in Iran|Monarchy in Iran]]. Ideologically, he was a proponent of [[secularism]] and was known for being a very harsh [[Criticism of Islam|critic of Islam]], viewing it as an anti-Iranian religion.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|date=July 2015|title=Iran: Political Opposition Groups, Security Forces, Selected Human Rights Issues, Rule of Law : COI Compilation|url=https://www.refworld.org/pdfid/559baae44.pdf|access-date=29 Dec 2021|website=Austrian Red Cross - Austrian Centre for Country of Origin & Asylum Research and Documentation (ACCORD)}}</ref> He resided in the United Kingdom whilst he was politically active.<ref name=":4" /> He ran a satellite television show known as "Your TV" from London,<ref name=":5" /> which he used to support his cause for the overthrow of the Iranian government and restoration of the monarchy.<ref name=":6" /> On 17 June 2005 he and three other API members were arrested in several raids by armed police, and involving [[MI5]], on suspicion of terrorism.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2005-06-17|title=Four arrests in anti-terror raids|language=en-GB|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4102400.stm|access-date=2021-12-29}}</ref> According to a [[Proceeds of Crime Act 2002|Section 298 (2)]] "Application for Forfeiture of Detained Cash" document, it was suspected that they were intending to illegally overthrow the Iranian government, by force if necessary.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Dc John Lawes|first=National Terrorist Financial Investigation Unit, New Scotland Yard|date=4 May 2007|title=Application for Forfeiture of Detained Cash|url=http://iransara.info/Iran%20Fouladvand%20arrest%20document.htm|access-date=2021-12-30|website=iransara.info}}</ref> His supporters condemned the arrests and associated raid, claiming that police had tried to "silence" Fouladvand, and had "brutally assaulted" him and three of his supporters.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web|title=IranSara|url=http://iransara.info/Tondar-MI5-Forces.htm|access-date=2021-12-29|website=iransara.info}}</ref>


==Tondar, Azarakhsh and the Kingdom Assembly of Iran==
==Kingdom Assembly of Iran==
{{refimprove section|date=December 2021}}
[[File:Derafsh Kaviani flag of the late Sassanid Empire.svg|thumb|[[Derafsh Kaviani|Derafsh-e Kaviani]]. The Derafsh-e Kaviani was the official flag of the [[Sasanian Empire|Aryan Empire]], as well as Fouladvand's party, and he often featured it in his programmes.]]
[[File:Derafsh Kaviani flag of the late Sassanid Empire.svg|thumb|[[Derafsh Kaviani|Derafsh-e Kaviani]]. The Derafsh-e Kaviani was the official flag of the [[Sasanian Empire|Aryan Empire]], as well as Fouladvand's party, and he often featured it in his programmes.]]
Kingdom Assembly of Iran ({{langx|fa|انجمن پادشاهی ایران|Anjoman-e Pâdeshâhi-ye Irân}}) or API, also "The Monarchy Assembly Iran", "Soldiers of the Kingdom Assembly of Iran" or "Iran Monarchy Committee" ({{langx|fa|تندر}}), is an Iranian exile [[Monarchism in Iran|monarchist]] opposition group<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110408211226/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article7007003.ece Iran hangs alleged dissidents to warn opposition], January 29, 2010</ref> which was founded Frood Fouladvand. It seeks to overthrow the [[Islamic republic#Iran|Islamic Republic]] and restore the [[Iranian monarchy]] under a new dynasty.<ref name="jamestown">[http://www.jamestown.org/single/?no_cache=1&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=4936 Iranian Monarchist Group Claims Responsibility for Shiraz Mosque Attack], ''Terrorism Focus'', Volume: 5 Issue: 20, May 20, 2008</ref> The group is currently banned in the [[Islamic Republic of Iran]]. It has a military wing called Tondar,<ref name=":3" /> a name which means 'thunder' in [[Persian language|Persian]]. Iranian authorities have described it as a terrorist organisation. It is not on the US terrorist organization list.<ref>Yitzhak Benhorin. [http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3887524,00.html Iran: LA Terror group working against us].</ref>
Fouladvand was the founder of the [[Kingdom Assembly of Iran]], known alternatively as the Anjoman. The mission of the Anjoman was to overthrow the Iranian government and restore a Monarchy in Iran.

Tondar was the name of a series of operations meant to garner attention and support for Fouladvand's attempt to overthrow the Iranian government and restore a Monarchist State in Iran. Some examples of the Tondar operations are:

*: Congesting the streets outside the [[International Court of Justice]] in [[The Hague]] by staging a fake wedding.<ref>{{Cite web|title=IranSara|url=http://iransara.info/Tondar-Laheh.htm|access-date=2021-12-29|website=iransara.info}}</ref>

*: Mounting the [[Derafsh Kaviani|Derafsh-e Kaviani]] on the [[Arc de Triomphe]] in [[Paris]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=IranSara|url=http://iransara.info/Tondar-Paris.htm|access-date=2021-12-29|website=iransara.info}}</ref>

*: Bombing the [[Sivand Dam]] in 2005, thereby forcing a redesign of the Sivand Dam project, saving the [[Tomb of Cyrus]] from being destroyed. No casualties were reported.<ref>{{Cite web|title=IranSara|url=http://iransara.info/Tondar-Sivand.htm|access-date=2021-12-29|website=iransara.info}}</ref>


*: Staging a sit-in on a Lufthansa flight from Frankfurt to protest the Iranian regime.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Belgian plane sit-in ends|url=https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/belgian-plane-sit-in-ends.96590|access-date=2021-12-29|website=Times of Malta|language=en-gb}}</ref>
One of API's more notable protests involved staging a sit-in on a Lufthansa flight from Frankfurt to protest the Iranian regime. On 13 March 2005, fifty-nine passengers on the flight refused to disembark upon arrival in Brussels, and a 13-hour sit-in ensued. Three passengers left voluntarily,<ref>{{Cite news|date=2005-03-11|title=Iranian protest ends in Brussels|language=en-GB|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4337629.stm|access-date=2021-12-30}}</ref> and Belgian police eventually boarded and escorted the other fifty-six passengers off.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Belgian plane sit-in ends|url=https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/belgian-plane-sit-in-ends.96590|access-date=2021-12-29|website=Times of Malta|date=12 March 2005 |language=en-gb}}</ref>


A pattern found in Fouladvand's acts of protests is that they were largely non-violent, in stark contrast to the more violent tendencies of the Anjoman after his capture. Tondar was a fundamentally peaceful set of public protests. This was to be followed by Operation Azarakhsh, which was the operation to overthrow the Iranian [[Theocracy]] and restore a monarchy under a new dynasty. Fouladvand had stated that he intended to serve as Regent until someone he deemed embodied the [[Khvarenah|Farr-e Kiani]] was found to sit on the throne. He had also prepared a constitution for a new Imperial Iran.<ref>http://iransara.info/ar-1.pdf</ref><ref>http://iransara.info/ar-2.pdf</ref>
The ultimate aim of API however was to overthrow the Iranian [[Theocracy]] and restore a monarchy under a new dynasty. Fouladvand had stated that he intended to serve as Regent until someone he deemed embodied the [[Khvarenah|Farr-e Kiani]] was found to sit on the throne. He had even go so far as to prepare a constitution for a new Imperial Iran.<ref>http://iransara.info/ar-1.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}}</ref><ref>http://iransara.info/ar-2.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}}</ref>{{Better source needed|date=December 2021}}


==Disappearance==
==Disappearance==
Frood Fouladvand disappeared on the 17th of January, 2007 along with his two companions, codenamed "Kourosh Lor" and "Simorgh". Kourosh Lor was named for [[Cyrus the Great]] and the [[Lurs|Luri]] People, while Simorgh was named for the mythical bird, [[Simurgh]]. Fouladvand and his companions were attempting to return to Iran in order to overthrow the Iranian Regime.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=Home|url=http://www.iransara.info/API.htm|access-date=2021-12-29|website=www.iransara.info}}</ref> Fears were expressed by [[Human rights|Human Rights]] organisations that Fouladvand and his companions were "at risk of torture or other ill-treatment, and may even be sentenced to death",<ref>{{Cite web|title=Iran: Fear of torture and ill-treatment/ Fear of death penalty|url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/mde13/083/2008/en/|access-date=2021-12-29|website=Amnesty International|language=en}}</ref> however it seems that the [[Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran|Iranian government]] has remained deliberately vague, not saying much in public about Fouladvand's whereabouts or those of his companions.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|title=House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for 18 Jun 2008 (pt 0002)|url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200708/cmhansrd/cm080618/text/80618w0002.htm|access-date=2021-12-29|website=publications.parliament.uk}}</ref> In 2007, a Kingdom Assembly of Iran spokesman stated that Fouladvand and two companions were "missing and believed [[murder]]ed by [[Iranian Intelligence Service|Iranian intelligence]]".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nysun.com/new-york/tehran-condemns-persian-pride/50608/|title=Tehran Condemns Persian Pride - The New York Sun|website=www.nysun.com|access-date=2017-07-03}}</ref> Fouladvand was captured, likely by agents of the [[Ministry of Intelligence (Iran)|Iranian Intelligence Services]] in Turkey.<ref name=":0" /> Nothing has been heard of Fouladvand since his capture.
Frood Fouladvand disappeared on 17 January 2007 along with two other API members, Alexander Valizadeh and Nazem Schmidtt. According to API they were attempting to return to Iran in order to overthrow the Iranian regime.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=Home|url=http://www.iransara.info/API.htm|access-date=2021-12-29|website=www.iransara.info}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> It is presumed that they were abducted by Iranian security forces in Yüksekova, Turkey and taken into custody of the [[Ministry of Intelligence (Iran)|Ministry of Intelligence]]. Their hired car was found with its windows smashed, wiring cut, and number plates removed. [[Amnesty International]] expressed concern that Fouladvand and his companions were "at risk of torture or other ill-treatment, and may even be sentenced to death".<ref>{{Cite web|title=Iran: Fear of torture and ill-treatment/ Fear of death penalty|url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/mde13/083/2008/en/|access-date=2021-12-29|website=Amnesty International|language=en}}</ref> In 2007, a Kingdom Assembly of Iran spokesman stated that Fouladvand and two companions were "missing and believed [[murder]]ed by [[Iranian Intelligence Service|Iranian intelligence]]".<ref name=":8">{{Cite web|url=http://www.nysun.com/new-york/tehran-condemns-persian-pride/50608/|title=Tehran Condemns Persian Pride - The New York Sun|website=www.nysun.com|access-date=2017-07-03}}</ref> In a newsletter on 4 June 2008, the [[Opposition to capital punishment|anti-capital punishment]] group, Hands Off Cain, raised concerns that Fouladvand either had been, or would soon be, executed by the Iranian government.<ref>{{Cite web|title=European citizens sentenced to death by the Iranian regime|url=https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/H-6-2008-0478_EN.html|access-date=2021-12-30|website=www.europarl.europa.eu|language=en}}</ref> The [[Iran–United Kingdom relations|UK ambassador to Iran]] had spoken to the authorities in Tehran, but had not received any information as of 18 June 2008.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|title=House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for 18 Jun 2008 (pt 0002)|url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200708/cmhansrd/cm080618/text/80618w0002.htm|access-date=2021-12-29|website=publications.parliament.uk}}</ref> Whilst some API members believed that he had been abducted and subsequently executed,<ref name=":8" /> others including his successor as leader, [[Jamshid Sharmahd|Djamshid Sharmahd]], as late as 2010, still claimed that Fouladvand was actually in hiding, and undercover.<ref name=":7" /> Sharmahd was himself abducted on the orders of the Iranian government in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Iran says it has detained US-based opposition leader over 2008 terrorist attack - ABC News|url=https://amp.abc.net.au/article/12515876|access-date=2021-12-30|website=amp.abc.net.au}}</ref>


After his disappearance, his organisation, the [[Kingdom Assembly of Iran|Anjoman]], began to weaken and resort to acts of terrorism. An example of this is the [[2008 Shiraz explosion|bombing of a Mosque in Shiraz in 2008]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Iranian Monarchist Group Claims Responsibility for Shiraz Mosque Attack|url=https://jamestown.org/brief/iranian-monarchist-group-claims-responsibility-for-shiraz-mosque-attack/|access-date=2021-12-29|website=Jamestown|language=en-US}}</ref>
API continued to operate, and would claim responsibility for the [[2008 Shiraz explosion|bombing of a Mosque in Shiraz in 2008]].<ref>{{Cite news|title=Iranian Monarchist Group Claims Responsibility for Shiraz Mosque Attack|url=https://jamestown.org/brief/iranian-monarchist-group-claims-responsibility-for-shiraz-mosque-attack/|access-date=2021-12-29|website=Jamestown|language=en-US}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
*[[Capital punishment in Iran]]
⚫
*[[List of people who disappeared mysteriously: post-1970|List of people who disappeared]]
*[[Monarchism in Iran|Iranian Monarchism]]
*[[Iranian nationalism|Iranian Nationalism]]
*[[Iranian nationalism|Iranian Nationalism]]
⚫
*[[List of people who disappeared mysteriously: 1990–present|List of people who disappeared]]
*[[Criticism of Islam]]
*[[Kingdom Assembly of Iran]]


== References ==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Fouladvand, Frood}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Fouladvand, Frood}}
[[Category:1941 births]]
[[Category:2000s missing person cases]]
[[Category:2000s missing person cases]]
[[Category:Iranian monarchists]]
[[Category:Iranian monarchists]]
[[Category:Missing people]]
[[Category:Missing people]]
[[Category:Missing person cases in Turkey]]

Latest revision as of 02:23, 8 November 2024

Frood Fouladvand
Born(1941-11-26)26 November 1941
Shah Valeh, Azna, Lorestan, Iran
Disappeared17 January 2007
Yüksekova, Hakkâri, Turkey
StatusMissing for 17 years, 11 months and 25 days, presumed to have been abducted by Iranian security forces

Frood Fouladvand (Persian: فرود فولادوند; born 26 November 1941) was an Iranian actor, film director, playwright, screenwriter, monarchist, and founder of the group Kingdom Assembly of Iran (API).[1] He was known for his political activism and vocal opposition to the Iranian government,[2] as well as his prolific film career in Iran and Egypt.[3][better source needed] He and two other API members disappeared in January 2007 near Yüksekova in Turkey near the Iran–Turkey border whilst on what was described by his supporters as a mission to "liberate" Iran.[4] It is presumed that he was abducted by Iranian security forces.[5]

Life before politics

[edit]

Frood Fouladvand was born as Fathollah Manouchehri in the Lorestan Province of Iran. He belonged to the Fouladvand tribe, who are Bakhtiari Lurs.[6] During the Imperial Era, he worked as a playwright, director, actor, screenwriter and voice dubber.[3][better source needed] Fouladvand enjoyed much domestic success in his roles, and was one of the important figures in the film dubbing industry.[citation needed] Fouladvand did all of his artistic work under his birth name, Fathollah Manouchehri.

On the advent of the Iranian Revolution, Fouladvand would leave Iran, going to Turkey, Egypt, Germany, and finally the United Kingdom, where he remained a resident until his disappearance. He would adopt the name Frood, as he felt it was more Iranian-sounding than Fathollah, which means "The Victory of Allah" in Arabic.

Political activities

[edit]

Fouladvand was an advocate for the overthrow of the Iranian Government and a restoration of Monarchy in Iran. Ideologically, he was a proponent of secularism and was known for being a very harsh critic of Islam, viewing it as an anti-Iranian religion.[4] He resided in the United Kingdom whilst he was politically active.[7] He ran a satellite television show known as "Your TV" from London,[5] which he used to support his cause for the overthrow of the Iranian government and restoration of the monarchy.[8] On 17 June 2005 he and three other API members were arrested in several raids by armed police, and involving MI5, on suspicion of terrorism.[9] According to a Section 298 (2) "Application for Forfeiture of Detained Cash" document, it was suspected that they were intending to illegally overthrow the Iranian government, by force if necessary.[10] His supporters condemned the arrests and associated raid, claiming that police had tried to "silence" Fouladvand, and had "brutally assaulted" him and three of his supporters.[8]

Kingdom Assembly of Iran

[edit]
Derafsh-e Kaviani. The Derafsh-e Kaviani was the official flag of the Aryan Empire, as well as Fouladvand's party, and he often featured it in his programmes.

Kingdom Assembly of Iran (Persian: انجمن پادشاهی ایران, romanized: Anjoman-e Pâdeshâhi-ye Irân) or API, also "The Monarchy Assembly Iran", "Soldiers of the Kingdom Assembly of Iran" or "Iran Monarchy Committee" (Persian: تندر), is an Iranian exile monarchist opposition group[11] which was founded Frood Fouladvand. It seeks to overthrow the Islamic Republic and restore the Iranian monarchy under a new dynasty.[12] The group is currently banned in the Islamic Republic of Iran. It has a military wing called Tondar,[4] a name which means 'thunder' in Persian. Iranian authorities have described it as a terrorist organisation. It is not on the US terrorist organization list.[13]

One of API's more notable protests involved staging a sit-in on a Lufthansa flight from Frankfurt to protest the Iranian regime. On 13 March 2005, fifty-nine passengers on the flight refused to disembark upon arrival in Brussels, and a 13-hour sit-in ensued. Three passengers left voluntarily,[14] and Belgian police eventually boarded and escorted the other fifty-six passengers off.[15]

The ultimate aim of API however was to overthrow the Iranian Theocracy and restore a monarchy under a new dynasty. Fouladvand had stated that he intended to serve as Regent until someone he deemed embodied the Farr-e Kiani was found to sit on the throne. He had even go so far as to prepare a constitution for a new Imperial Iran.[16][17][better source needed]

Disappearance

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Frood Fouladvand disappeared on 17 January 2007 along with two other API members, Alexander Valizadeh and Nazem Schmidtt. According to API they were attempting to return to Iran in order to overthrow the Iranian regime.[18][1] It is presumed that they were abducted by Iranian security forces in Yüksekova, Turkey and taken into custody of the Ministry of Intelligence. Their hired car was found with its windows smashed, wiring cut, and number plates removed. Amnesty International expressed concern that Fouladvand and his companions were "at risk of torture or other ill-treatment, and may even be sentenced to death".[19] In 2007, a Kingdom Assembly of Iran spokesman stated that Fouladvand and two companions were "missing and believed murdered by Iranian intelligence".[20] In a newsletter on 4 June 2008, the anti-capital punishment group, Hands Off Cain, raised concerns that Fouladvand either had been, or would soon be, executed by the Iranian government.[21] The UK ambassador to Iran had spoken to the authorities in Tehran, but had not received any information as of 18 June 2008.[7] Whilst some API members believed that he had been abducted and subsequently executed,[20] others including his successor as leader, Djamshid Sharmahd, as late as 2010, still claimed that Fouladvand was actually in hiding, and undercover.[2] Sharmahd was himself abducted on the orders of the Iranian government in 2020.[22]

API continued to operate, and would claim responsibility for the bombing of a Mosque in Shiraz in 2008.[23]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "With history of killings, abductions Turkey is no safe haven for Iranian dissidents". Al Arabiya English. 2020-06-26. Retrieved 2021-12-29.
  2. ^ a b Audi, Tamara (2010-05-10). "U.S.-Iran Feud Hits L.A." Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 2021-12-29.
  3. ^ a b "Fathollah Manoochehri". IMDb. Retrieved 2021-12-29.
  4. ^ a b c "Iran: Political Opposition Groups, Security Forces, Selected Human Rights Issues, Rule of Law : COI Compilation" (PDF). Austrian Red Cross - Austrian Centre for Country of Origin & Asylum Research and Documentation (ACCORD). July 2015. Retrieved 29 Dec 2021.
  5. ^ a b "Three who went missing in Turkey believed detained in Tehran". www.payvand.com. Archived from the original on 2021-12-29. Retrieved 2021-12-29.
  6. ^ فولادوندنامه (مویه بر تبار) (in Persian). Intishārāt-i Shāpūr Khvāst. 2014. ISBN 978-600-260-070-7.
  7. ^ a b "House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for 18 Jun 2008 (pt 0002)". publications.parliament.uk. Retrieved 2021-12-29.
  8. ^ a b "IranSara". iransara.info. Retrieved 2021-12-29.
  9. ^ "Four arrests in anti-terror raids". 2005-06-17. Retrieved 2021-12-29.
  10. ^ Dc John Lawes, National Terrorist Financial Investigation Unit, New Scotland Yard (4 May 2007). "Application for Forfeiture of Detained Cash". iransara.info. Retrieved 2021-12-30.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  11. ^ Iran hangs alleged dissidents to warn opposition, January 29, 2010
  12. ^ Iranian Monarchist Group Claims Responsibility for Shiraz Mosque Attack, Terrorism Focus, Volume: 5 Issue: 20, May 20, 2008
  13. ^ Yitzhak Benhorin. Iran: LA Terror group working against us.
  14. ^ "Iranian protest ends in Brussels". 2005-03-11. Retrieved 2021-12-30.
  15. ^ "Belgian plane sit-in ends". Times of Malta. 12 March 2005. Retrieved 2021-12-29.
  16. ^ http://iransara.info/ar-1.pdf [bare URL PDF]
  17. ^ http://iransara.info/ar-2.pdf [bare URL PDF]
  18. ^ "Home". www.iransara.info. Retrieved 2021-12-29.
  19. ^ "Iran: Fear of torture and ill-treatment/ Fear of death penalty". Amnesty International. Retrieved 2021-12-29.
  20. ^ a b "Tehran Condemns Persian Pride - The New York Sun". www.nysun.com. Retrieved 2017-07-03.
  21. ^ "European citizens sentenced to death by the Iranian regime". www.europarl.europa.eu. Retrieved 2021-12-30.
  22. ^ "Iran says it has detained US-based opposition leader over 2008 terrorist attack - ABC News". amp.abc.net.au. Retrieved 2021-12-30.
  23. ^ "Iranian Monarchist Group Claims Responsibility for Shiraz Mosque Attack". Jamestown. Retrieved 2021-12-29.
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