Parviz Sabeti Faces Torture Lawsuit in Florida Court

• •Parviz Sabeti is being sued for alleged torture during the Shah's regime in Iran.
• •A federal judge allowed the lawsuit to proceed, rejecting Sabeti's statute of limitations defense.
• •The case highlights ongoing discussions about Iran's political history and the monarchist movement.

On October 6, 2026, a federal judge in Florida allowed a civil lawsuit against Parviz Sabeti, former head of Iran's SAVAK, to proceed. The lawsuit, brought by three former political prisoners, alleges that Sabeti oversaw their torture during the 1970s. Sabeti, who denies the allegations, argued that the statute of limitations should dismiss the case, but Judge Gregory Presnell rejected this claim. The plaintiffs discovered Sabeti's location after a social media post from his daughter showed him at a protest against the Iranian government. The case is significant as it raises questions about the legacy of the monarchist movement in Iran and its ties to past authoritarian practices. The lawsuit is filed under the Torture Victim Protection Act, which allows for civil claims against individuals for torture committed under foreign regimes. Sabeti's trial could begin as early as next year, pending further legal proceedings.