Mother Farrokh Mo‘tamedi (known as mother Hodaei), another member of the Khavaran Mothers, passed away on Wednesday, 10 December 2025 (19 Azar 1404 Iranian Calendar), after nearly five decades of suffering and seeking justice, at her home in Karaj city. Mother Hodaei was the mother of Manijeh and Bijan Hodaei. Manijeh was a member of the “Organization of Struggle for the Emancipation of the Working Class (Peykar)”, a central member of its student and pupil organization, and prior to her arrest served as an advisory member to the organization’s central leadership. Bijan was a supporter of the organization and one of the officials responsible for its student and pupil section. Masoud Jigaraei, Manijeh’s husband and mother Hodaei’s son-in-law, was a member of the leadership of the Organization of Struggle for the Emancipation of the Working Class.
The Islamic Regime of Iran executed Bijan on 29 November 1981 (8 Azar 1360), Manijeh and her husband Masoud on the same day in February or March 1983 (Bahman or Esfand 1361), in Evin Prison.
At the time of the execution of her son Bijan, and later her daughter Manijeh and her son-in-law Masoud, Mother Hodaei protested in front of Evin Prison, chanting slogans condemning their executions. While she was protesting the execution of Manijeh and Masoud, the suppressive forces of the IRI arrested her and took her to Evin Prison. They wrapped her in a blanket and slammed her repeatedly against the ground so violently that she suffered from back pain for the rest of her life. As she was being taken in this condition to solitary confinement, she recited a long poem. After three months she was released, and she later recited the same poem, as a justice-seeking mother, at March 8 (Women International Day) ceremonies in Karaj, and subsequently at Khavaran gatherings and memorials for her children held at her home. Mother Hodaei had a high spirit of struggle and solidarity, and in every gathering she attended, she would expose the crimes of the Islamic Regime of Iran.
Mother Hodaei and her husband were active in connection with the Tudeh Party until the coup of 19 August 1953 (28 Mordad 1332). She continued her activities for many years after the coup with the Democratic Organization of Women, and during the Vietnam War she knitted garments to help the people of Vietnam.
The Iran Tribunal Foundation honors the memory of Mother Hodaei (Mother Farrokh Mo‘tamedi) and extends its condolences for her loss to her children, the Mo‘tamedi and Hodaei families, the larger Khavaran family, and Iran’s justice-seeking movement.
Iran Tribunal Foundation
Thursday, 11 December 2025 (20 Azar 1404 Iranian Calendar)
