Local prosecutor tells Iranian media that body of Arash Kasravi, who was visiting to deal with his father’s estate, found alongside those of two other men days after going missing
A Zoroastrian priest who resided in the United States has been killed on a visit to Iran, the country’s judiciary said in local media reports on Sunday.
The body of Arash Kasravi was found in the central province of Kerman alongside those of two other people who were not members of the religious minority, the province’s prosecutor was quoted as saying.
“Three bodies were discovered in a villa in Mahan city and they were apparently murdered,” Dadkhoda Salari told state television.
“Investigations showed that one of them was Arash Kasravi, a member of the Zoroastrian religious minority,” he added.
The prosecutor did not disclose the identity of the two others who were slain.
But he added that the murder seemed financially motivated, and noted that $10,000 (8,500 euros) was found in one of the victims’ cars.
Iran’s Etemad newspaper said Kasravi was a US resident who had been living in California with his family for the past 10 years.
The daily said he had returned to Iran last year to attend his father’s funeral and stayed for inheritance proceedings but disappeared days ago with two “friends” before being found dead.
Zoroastrianism was the dominant religion in Persia prior to the arrival of Islam, but according to government figures they only counted less than 25,000 adherents in 2016.
Iran officially recognizes “Iranian Zoroastrians, Jews and Christians” as religious minorities.
A statement was put out by the Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America today
FEZANA Statement On The Murder Of Zoroastrian Mobed Arash Kasravi
FEZANA mourns and is very saddened to announce that Mobed Arash Kasravi, a practicing U.S.- based Zarathushti priest, was tragically murdered, Friday, July 24, in Kerman, Iran, according to the Iranian state news agency, IRNA. Mobed Kasravi was a highly respected member and religious leader of the Zarathushti community in Southern California.
FEZANA urges Iranian authorities to continue their investigation into Mobed Kasravi’s murder, and that of his two companions, with expediency, transparency and due diligence. While nothing can bring him back to his family and community, those responsible for killing Mobed Kasravi and two other companions should receive swift justice.
On behalf of all FEZANA member associations, we wish to express our deepest condolences to Mobed Kasravi’s family, and to all who loved him. May his soul attain Garothman Behest.