Nurse Mehrnaz Mousavi from Iran does not have the right to protection in Sweden, even though she is politically active and critical of the Iranian regime on social media.
The Swedish Migration Agency believes that she has too few followers.
– If I am sent to Iran, I am afraid of being executed, says Mehnraz Mousavi.
Since the large protests in Iran began a few years ago, Mehrnaz Mousavi often participates in demonstrations here in Sweden, sometimes invited as a speaker. Among other things, she protests against the execution of regime critics in Iran, a fate she fears will befall her herself if she is forced to return.
– That the people in Iran are suffering is already a nightmare for me, but also to receive a deportation order and have this threat over me, it’s a big pressure, says Mehrnaz Mousavi.
Migration Agency: At too low a level
The Migration Agency believes that Mehrnaz’s political activity is at too low a level, the followers too few. The fact that the activity began in Sweden also contributed to the deportation decision. And the burden of proof is on the asylum seeker.
– In this case, the person who applied for asylum has not been able to make it likely that these publications and the political work she carries out reach the level for her to be covered by protection, says Jesper Tengroth, press manager at the Swedish Migration Agency.
Mehrnaz Mousavi’s posts critical of the regime can get over 3,000 likes, her videos up to 43,000 views. But the Swedish Migration Agency writes in its decision that the regime in Iran has probably not seen them.
– Everyone knows that Iran’s regime invests a lot of money and a lot of resources in following and controlling all activities that feel like a threat to the regime, says Mehrnaz.
“Very good grasp of regime critics”
That assessment is shared by Jörgen Holmlund, who is a teacher in intelligence analysis at the Norwegian Defense Academy.
– I think the Iranian security service has a very good grasp of regime critics in Sweden. They also have the resources. Both personally here in Sweden and technically, says Jörgen Holmlund.
So if you live in Sweden and are critical of the regime on your social media, you participate in demonstrations and speak at demonstrations – how likely is it that the Iranian security services have their eyes on you?
– There is an extremely high probability that they have it, they wouldn’t be doing their job if they didn’t have it, says Jörgen Holmlund.
After rejection from both the Migration Agency and the Migration Court, Mehrnaz Mousavi now hopes that the Migration Court will take up her case and give her the right to stay in Sweden.
– My highest dream is that I get to live my life here with my husband and to be able to continue in safety with my political activities and be the voice of the Iranian people.