Despite his noble birth, Patrick’s life diverged sharply from the path expected of a prince. In the 1970s, he returned and became openly critical of the Shah’s authoritarian regime. His dissent led to his arrest in 1975 and imprisonment in the infamous Evin Prison, where he was subjected to harsh conditions, including psychological torture and a staged mock execution. This experience left deep marks on him and would later influence his turn toward spiritual and philosophical inquiry. After the 1979 Revolution, Patrick remained for a time, witnessing the dramatic fall of his family’s dynasty.
