Florida judge allows lawsuit against Shah of Iran’s alleged ‘chief torturer’ to move forward
A Florida federal judge has rejected a motion to dismiss a lawsuit against Parviz Sabeti, the alleged head of Iran's Savak intelligence agency under the Shah. The decision allows civil claims under the Torture Victim Protection Act to proceed, potentially leading to a trial where Sabeti must answer for alleged human rights abuses. Sabeti denies the accusations, maintaining that he opposed torture and that the statute of limitations should bar the case.
- ▪Judge Gregory A. Presnell denied Sabeti's request for summary judgment, allowing the lawsuit to move forward to the discovery phase.
- ▪Three former political prisoners are suing Sabeti for directing torture and detention of thousands of opponents prior to the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
- ▪Sabeti was identified in Florida in 2023 after his daughter posted a photo of him at a protest on social media.
- ▪The plaintiffs allege they were subjected to severe abuses, including electric shocks and a device nicknamed Apollo, while in Savak custody.
- ▪Sabeti's legal team argues he lived openly in Florida and that the statute of limitations should prevent the case from proceeding.
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| Original publisher | The Guardian — World |
| Canonical URL | https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/oct/08/florida-torture-lawsuit-parviz-sabeti-iran-shah |
| Publication time | Thu, 08 Oct 2026 16:00:23 GMT |
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Parviz Sabeti in an undated picture. Photograph: AlamyView image in fullscreenParviz Sabeti in an undated picture. Photograph: AlamyUS justice systemFlorida judge allows lawsuit against Shah of Iran’s alleged ‘chief torturer’ to move forwardParviz Sabeti denies allegations he led Savak intelligence agency under shah and directed torture of thousandsRichard Luscombe in MiamiThu 8 Oct 2026 12.00 EDTLast modified on Thu 8 Oct 2026 12.01 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on GoogleThe alleged “chief torturer” for the deposed Shah of Iran is a step closer to trial for human rights abuses after a Florida federal judge rejected his demand to halt a lawsuit brought by three former political prisoners.Parviz Sabeti, who was reported last year to have lived in a quiet upscale central Florida community, is…
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