Gazelle and other relatives worked tirelessly to raise international awareness — giving interviews to outlets like BBC Persian, CNN, and Deutsche Welle; speaking to the German Bundestag; and urging Western governments to pressure Tehran. Her advocacy kept the case visible even as other geopolitical events dominated the headlines. Human rights groups such as Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the Center for Human Rights echoed her calls for transparency and due process.
These incidents demonstrate how security apparatus has extended its reach beyond its borders, often relying on covert operations, disinformation campaigns, and intimidation of exiles. Sharmahd’s abduction from the UAE, a country with strong security ties to the West, was especially alarming — highlighting how even technologically advanced, stable regions can become sites of extraterritorial renditions. The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which prohibits torture and guarantees the right to a fair trial.
