January 18th, 2012 – [Kaleme: Zahra Sadr]  Mir Abdollah Mousavi, Opposition Leader Mir Hossein Mousavi’s older brother is an old and ailing man who continues to work behind his small and humble neighborhood store and yet he too is not immune to the harassment by security forces who have approached him at his store on numerous occasions.

An older brother who endured the pain of separation during the 8 years of war [with Iraq] so that our nation would feel less pain, was so tormented and concerned [as a result of the lack of news regarding his brother] that he finally decided to leave his small neighborhood store and appear in front of Akhtar prison with the hope to obtain any news of his brother. Alas, he was only harassed and accosted by the security agents stationed outside Akhtar street.

With his warm Azari accent, Mir Abdollah tells Kalame’s reporter:” We were concerned for my brother and his wife. They have been taken hostage there for months. We miss them so much!”

Mir Abdollah adds: ” We’ve have been longing to see him for months.  We didn’t want anything. We were just worried. I am an older brother who is only worried about his brother. All we wanted to do was to see him and to be assured that he is fine. But they wouldn’t let us.”

Mir Abdollah Mousavi continues in dismay: ” The security agents stated that they don’t know such a person. I asked “How can you not know him?” The entire world knows him, why is it that you don’t ? “  We waited for ten minutes and they told us to go home.  We left and came back again, but they once again refused to allow us to see my brother.”

Mir Abdollah adds: ” They said we don’t know anyone by the name of Mousavi.”   When we ask Mir Abdollah about the claims by government owned media outlets that insist that their loved ones [Mousavi and Rahnavard] are not behind bars but are rather being protected for their own good, he responds: “No one has any news of my brother and his wife. They have been banned of all visitation rights. Their daughters, his brothers, even we we have no idea what condition they are living under. We are all in a state of limbo…”

Mir Abdollah states: “Approximately two months ago, my brother’s daughter was allowed to see them. After that visit, we have had no news of them.  It is very distressing not to know whether they sick, healthy, in good spirits, etc. We are completely in the dark.”

We ask Mir Abdollah regarding the accusations against Mir Hossein during his months behind house arrest; we wonder how a man who was responsible for our country during the most critical conditions,  an eight year war with Iraq when our country faced the direct threat of invasion by an enemy, can be accused of collaborating with foreign interests and treason against his country.  He responds with a heavy heart: “Mir Hossein would never do such a thing. They make up these rumors against him.”

As if thinking out loud from a place filled with old and obscure memories, Mir Abdollah continues calmly: “They did not behave in an appropriate manner and this behavior has harmed everyone.  If they had behaved appropriately, we would not be in such a predicament…”

After a brief pause, Mir Abdollah continues: “They are not supposed to arrest and detain someone without a trial and in the absence of a judge and then prevent them from seeing anyone. We must do something. They must hold a trial and determine what if any crimes have been committed.  If the courts find them to be guilty, then incarcerate them according to the provisions provided under the law.  It is  wrong to continue to detain them without stating what crimes they have committed and in the absence of a trial, judge and jury.”

When asked why certain individuals are so afraid of Mir Hossein being released, Mir Abollah Mousavi, a concerned brother who has always remained outside the ruthless political arena responds: “Their intent was to harm and harass. They have left us in a state of limbo for more than ten months.  This type of behavior cannot be interpreted in any other manner than the intent to harm people.”

Mir Hossein Mousavi’s father, Mir Esmail Mousavi passed away less than two months after the illegal incarceration of Mousavi and his ever faithful wife Zahra Rahnavard.  At the time, when Mir Hossein was allowed to see his father’s cold and lifeless body for a few moments he repeated: “Patience… patience… patience…” ; a message that with the passing of each day has become exceedingly more meaningful not only to his brothers and daughters, but to all supporters of the Green movement.

Today, Mir Hossein’s older brother carries with him the memories of a father and brother stating: ” We are just like you.  There is nothing we can do.  They are in charge of everything and will do what every they want.”

Like the rest of the world, Mir Ardbollah remains hopeful that history will be a fair judge and according to his own words, he leaves judgment to “the one and only God”  Mir Abdollah continues in a calm and self assured manner: ” God wants what ever is fair and just. Sooner or later, the truth and justice will prevail and I have no doubt in my mind that Mir Hossein speaks the truth.”    Mir Abdollah firmly insists: ” My brother has done nothing wrong. There is no reason to accuse him. When the rights of people were trampled upon, they took it upon themselves to defend those rights and that is why they find themselves in such a predicament.”

Mir Abollah adds: “Our people are aware of everything. They know everything today, but there is nothing they can do when people are arrested for daring to speak the truth!”

We asked Mir Abdollah if he has any message for the authorities and he responds: ” I don’t have anything in particular to say to the government officials.  We are like all other people.  It doesn’t matter what we say.  They are the ones in charge.”
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Source: Kaleme: http://www.kaleme.com/1390/10/28/klm-87241/