Supporters of Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran’s deposed shah, have marched through a number of European cities in recent weeks wearing military-style uniforms, carrying flags associated with Savak, the feared secret police accused of torture and repression under the monarchy.
Holding large images of Pahlavi, who has openly backed Israeli and US strikes on Iran during the recent war, they called for continued attacks on their homeland and the return of the former crown prince to power.
For many Iranians, the display of symbols of the notorious intelligence service revived memories of brutality under the shah’s rule. When Middle East Eye asked Iranian opposition figures what the name Savak and the parades evoked, all gave the same answer: torture.
Following a ceasefire between the US and Iran, Iranian monarchists held a march in London on 26 April, when they dressed entirely in black and marched in lines resembling military parades, their arms folded behind their backs, shouting “Long Live the Shah”. Some covered their faces with balaclavas, and the Savak flag led the march.
A similar event took place in Copenhagen on 9 May, this time in khaki military-style uniforms. Later, Regensburg in Germany saw a similar parade, with participants wearing T-shirts bearing the Savak emblem.
