Bodies for ransom: Iranians fleeing to Turkey recount regime crackdown, retribution
Transiting Istanbul Airport, they also spoke of the internet blackout, hurried departures and skepticism of foreign intervention providing relief.
ISTANBUL — Among the crowds moving through Istanbul Airport’s international arrivals, a group of passengers stands out: Iranians newly arrived from Tehran, their faces marked by a mix of relief and unease.
“We are sad because of what happened in our country,” a 45-year-old father of two told Al-Monitor, in route to a northern European capital, where he works as an engineer. “But we are also relieved because we are finally on our way back to our normal lives.”
He, like others who spoke with Al-Monitor, requested anonymity for fear of reprisals by Iranian authorities. Many of them had expected to return to their homes in Europe days earlier, after spending a month or so in Iran during winter breaks. The eruption of widespread protests and fierce government crackdown interrupted their plans, however, grounding their flights.
“Our flight was on Jan. 10, but it was canceled,” the engineer said. Several airlines suspended service to and from Iran starting Jan. 9, amid the demonstrations.
