Viktor Giacobbo supports an Iranian athlete on death row. With the sponsorship, the satirist wants to draw attention to the abuses in Iran in Switzerland: «Sahand Noor Mohammadzadeh is a 26-year-old bodybuilder who has won several awards. His story is incredible. He was arrested during protests because he allegedly set fire to garbage cans, among other things. Now he faces the death penalty.”
“Hope is small – my wish modest”
Alderman Corina Gredig, a good friend of Giacobbo, gave him the idea of the sponsorship. Together with the organization “Free Iran”, those involved want to raise public awareness of the situation in Iran, according to Giacobbo: “Maybe we can increase the public pressure on the regime of the mullahs. The hope is small, my wish is modest – yet.”
The impotence in the face of the Iranian mullah regime is overwhelming. He receives no direct feedback from his godfather. According to the organization “FreeIran Switzerland”, the efforts in Switzerland in Iran, which is loyal to the regime, are certainly being noticed.
No visa application for Godfather Giacobbo
Viktor Giacobbo knows Iran from a trip he made four years ago. The country made a great impression on him. As a travel destination, however, Iran has been removed from his list for the time being, the Winterthur resident knows: “I know that I do not need to apply for a visa because of my activity as Sahand’s godfather.”
Viktor Giacobbo no longer has direct contacts with Iran: “We had a great Iranian guide on this trip, with whom I have always kept in touch. Until then, WhatsApp was off. Unfortunately I can’t reach him anymore.”
“Cut her hair? That wasn’t up for discussion.”
Zurich GLP National Councilor Corina Gredig (35), who has taken on the sponsorship of the death row athlete together with Giacobbo (70), demands from Blick: “Switzerland must absolutely join the EU sanctions against Iran. These are specifically aimed at the mullahs, who inflict cruel punishments on their citizens.”
Like many others, Giacobbo and she would have taken on such political sponsorship so that these convicts would come out in the open. “If everyone is watching, the hurdle for the regime to carry out the death sentences is much higher.” The politician and comedian demand that the sentence against Sahand Noor Mohammadzadeh (26) be lifted.
Cutting hair – not an option for comedian Giacobbo
Giacobbo would appreciate if his commitment to the Iranian athlete would raise awareness of the situation in Iran: “I hope people pay attention and do their utmost to ease the international pressure on the ruthless regime that executes its most active young people, stop. . You do what you can.”
Speaking of which, numerous people around the world who are in the public eye like Giacobbo have cut their hair to take a stand against the Iranian regime. Scissors instead of sponsorship, would that have been an option? “That was not up for debate, I simply don’t have enough hair for that. This is one of the reasons why the sponsorship is perfect for me.”