For Immediate Release: November 15
Contact: Paris Etemadi Scott
Phone: (408) 261-6405
Washington, DC – Today, the Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans (PAAIA), the Iranian American Bar Association (IABA), and Pars Equality Center released the following statement regarding the recent update on Bijan Ghaisar’s case:
“The coalition is extremely distraught over the decision by federal prosecutors to not charge the two U.S. Park Police officers who fatally shot unarmed Bijan Ghaisar in 2017. This comes after two years of deafening silence by the FBI and DOJ about the case, even after multiple congressional inquiries, and does not provide any transparency into the decision. Bjian Ghaisar and his family deserve justice and accountability for his senseless and untimely death.
“The community, like many others, is shocked and dismayed by the outcome of the case. Despite their lengthy investigation, federal prosecutors have provided no explanation of the shooting or the reasons for their decision. We call on the federal and Fairfax County prosecutors to look into this case and provide full due process for Bijan Ghaisar as well as transparency for their conclusion. The coalition will continue to work with Bijan Ghaisar’s family, members of Congress, and law enforcement to secure an explanation for this decision and to hold the officers accountable for any actions that unfairly cost a life.”