Accusations and Investigations: The Rouzbeh Parsi Story

The Foreign Policy Institute’s former program manager, Rouzbeh Parsi, found himself at the center of controversy, facing accusations that led to investigation and career upheaval. This article unpacks the events, shedding light on the circumstances and their impact on his professional and personal life.

Early Developments

The events unfolded in September 2022, after the arrest of a young Iranian woman named Mahsa Believe. The arrest was based on her veil not being worn in the “correct” way, which subsequently led to her death in police custody. News of this triggered significant protests within Iran and the diaspora.

That

Parsi penned an analysis in the Express, where he suggested the Iranian government’s history of violence meant a revolution was unlikely. This view drew immediate backlash from the diaspora.

“The demands for war found support in exiliar circles, which meant that a US-led war would pave the way for the return of the Pahlavi dynasty.”

—Rouzbeh Parsi

According to recent data, between 2022 and 2023, the number of reported protests in Iran increased by 40%, highlighting the ongoing unrest (Source: Human Rights Watch).

Allegations of Influence

Later, allegations surfaced that Parsi had been part of a covert network working on behalf of Tehran, as reported by Iran International. The claims were based on leaked emails from the Iranian Foreign Ministry. These emails, however, failed to mention that his projects were funded by the German Heinrich Böll Stiftung (2013–2015) and the British Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2018-2020).

Parsi later faced scrutiny regarding his testimony as an expert witness in the trial of Hamid Noury in Stockholm. His comments about the Mujahedin, a prominent opposition group, were met with criticism from their legal representatives, which further escalated the situation.

The Investigation and Its Aftermath

The allegations spurred an investigation by the Foreign Policy Institute (UI), Parsi’s employer, resulting in a 45-page report. This report cleared him of the initial accusations. It also uncovered new claims that he had been less than transparent with UI’s management about the organization’s involvement in the negotiations.

Parsi was ultimately asked to leave his position at UI, causing distress for his family. Parsi commented that his case was a “Kafka process” and that UI was reluctant to stand by him. He noted that he had been told he “provoked” and lacked nuance.

This situation underscores the complex intersection of geopolitical tensions and professional ethics. It demonstrates the challenges that analysts, particularly those with connections to the region, must navigate.