NTNU-employee: - I have seen tens of thousands of my people slaughtered, so why should I stay silent?

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PhD candidate at the Department of Energy and Process Engineering, Behnam Rosti, is Iranian. He has been in Norway for over four years, but when the protests broke out at the beginning of January, he felt how painful it was to be far away.

- Back in my hometown, almost everyone was out in the streets, my family told me. I am very sad that I was not there with them, standing with them, doing the right thing. But at the same time, I am happy that I am here. If I had been at home, I could have been among the dead, Rosti says.

He speaks openly, unfiltered, and with an intensity that shows he has had enough. He took part in the protests six years ago himself, a situation he describes as very frightening. He also remembers the unrest right after he moved to Norway around three years ago, when Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO) reported that 551 demonstrators had been killed.

- But this time, things are different, Rosti says.

Brave people are wagering their life in the fight

He explains that feeling with the enormous number of people who took part in the protests. Iran International reported that 1.5 million people took to the streets in Tehran alone, encouraged by Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi. He has promised to be a temporary transitional leader who can help create democracy in Iran. Rosti believes in him.

- His grandfather and father both played key roles in moving Iran toward stability, democracy, and modernization over roughly 50 years. Despite significant challenges, the overall direction was forward before being reversed by the Islamic regime, he says.

According to Rosti, that is one of the reasons people are now protesting against the regime, even though they know they might die.

- One story I cannot forget is about a mother who got a phone call from her son during the protests. He asks: 'Do you hear the people, Mom? Do you hear the bullets?' In despair she begs him to come home, tells him to get to safety. Then he answers: 'No, Mom. Not this time. I am calling to tell you that you probably do not have a son anymore.' His name was Benham Darvishi, and he died, Rosti says.

Reports on how many have been killed vary, 6000 is verified dead, but Rosti claims there can be between 30 - 50 thousand. The exact number is hard to determine because the internet is shut down, The Guardian reports. They estimate around 22 thousand dead.

- These are incredibly brave people, who make me proud to be Iranian, he says.

Worried about the prisoners

Rosti says that he was recently at a social gathering where he started talking with an Iranian friend. He asked whether his friend had any family members who had been injured in the unrest. He did not, but a cousin, Ali Rabhar, had been arrested, and the family was working to get him released.

- But then, today, my friend posted a message saying that his cousin had been executed, Rosti says.  It was also reported by The Sunday Times.

This shook him deeply.

- It is heartbreaking that young, wonderful people are killed without a trial or proof of guilt. What worries me is that there are thousands of Iranians in prison, and we do not know whether they are being tortured or executed, like what happened to my friend’s cousin, he says.

Here in Trondheim, there are others who have lost relatives or friends in the street protests. Among them is Milad Ghasemi, who was shot and killed. He was the father of a four-year-old son and a relative of another PhD student in NTNUs iranian community.

Action, not sorrow

Recently, a demonstration and memorial was held at  at Gløshaugen.

- We decided to stop just crying, and instead support where we can: gather, light candles, spread awareness about what is happening in Iran, he says.

Actions like this are important, Rosti believes. He points out that Iranian opposition groups have long worked to have the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) placed on the EU terror list, something they have now succeeded in achieving.

-It is a very big victory for us, he says.

- You are very open in your criticism of the regime. Are you not afraid of reprisals?

- I have seen tens of thousands of my people slaughtered, so why should I stay silent? We have to win this battle, otherwise we will never be a democracy again," Rosti says.

NTNUs support is appreciated

After the demonstrations at the beginning of January, NTNU rector Tor Grande called for unity.

- This is a demanding time. Many Iranians are experiencing anxiety, grief and concern for family and friends. In this situation, it becomes especially important to show compassion in practice toward Iranian colleagues and fellow students. They are an important part of our community and should feel safe and taken care of here with us, Grande said in a post on Innsida.

Rosti appreciates the statements from NTNU’s leadership and what has been done for Iranian employees at NTNU.

- I have personally experienced understanding and support from my supervisor and my colleagues. That has meant a lot to me, he says.

As for the future, Rosti says he firmly believes that the regime will fall, and that this will be for the good of both Iranians and the world.

- There is going to be a large protest in Munich on 14 February. I am trying to take part in this effort" Rosti concludes.