Although decades have passed since the fall of the Pahlavi monarchy, the name of one of the most controversial figures of its security apparatus has once again made headlines. Parviz Sabeti, a senior official of SAVAK—the Shah’s secret police and intelligence organization—and the official responsible for internal security under the Shah’s regime, is now facing a major lawsuit in the United States. The plaintiffs are seeking accountability for allegations including torture, unlawful detention, and widespread human rights violations.
According to a report published by The Guardian newspaper, the man known to his neighbors in the affluent community of Windermere, Florida, as “Peter” is in fact Parviz Sabeti. Many political prisoners from the Pahlavi era regard him as one of the principal architects of repression in the years leading up to the 1979 Iranian Revolution.
For years, Parviz Sabeti lived a quiet and low-profile life with his family in one of Florida’s most luxurious areas. He and his wife, Nasrin Sabeti, established extensive business activities in the construction sector under a new identity and acquired several valuable properties. However, a past that had remained hidden from public scrutiny for decades has now returned to the spotlight.
Serious Allegations Against Parviz Sabeti
Last month, a U.S. federal judge rejected a request by Parviz Sabeti’s attorneys to dismiss the case. The ruling cleared the way for judicial proceedings on a lawsuit brought by three former political prisoners. The plaintiffs, who now reside in California, claim that they were arrested, tortured, and forced into confessions during SAVAK’s operations.
The complaint details a range of alleged torture methods, including electric shocks, waterboarding, nail extraction, rape, and severe beatings. The plaintiffs maintain that these acts were carried out within the security apparatus overseen by Parviz Sabeti.
One of the most disturbing aspects of the case concerns a device known as “Apollo.” Used in SAVAK prisons, it reportedly consisted of a chair and a special metal helmet that amplified and echoed victims’ screams back to them, intensifying psychological pressure.
The Shadow of SAVAK Over Parviz Sabeti’s Present Life
For many opponents of the Pahlavi monarchy, Parviz Sabeti’s name is synonymous with the extensive security structure responsible for monitoring, tracking, and suppressing political dissidents. Documents released by the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) have also described him as one of the Shah’s most powerful security officials, with broad authority over arrests, interrogations, and the pursuit of political opponents.
Various estimates indicate that between 1957 and 1979, thousands of people were arrested and tortured by SAVAK. Numerous reports also documented the deaths and disappearances of political opponents during that period. Although the exact number of victims remains uncertain, SAVAK’s role in suppressing political dissent remains one of the most controversial chapters in modern Iranian history.
Parviz Sabeti has not formally responded to the allegations in the new case. In previous years, he repeatedly claimed that he opposed torture and had no direct role in such practices. However, the plaintiffs and their attorneys argue that available documents and witness testimonies present a different picture.
Identity Revealed After Four Decades
According to court documents, Parviz Sabeti spent more than four decades attempting to avoid media and public attention. This situation continued until February 2023, when a photograph of him at a gathering of supporters of the deposed Shah in Los Angeles was published. The image once again drew media attention to his identity and place of residence.
Reports have also pointed to Parviz Sabeti’s political connections in recent years. Some sources have identified him as a security adviser to Reza Pahlavi, the son of the last Shah of Iran, a development that once again brought his name into discussions within Iranian politics and among the Iranian diaspora.
Now, following the decision of a U.S. federal court, a case that remained dormant for years has entered a new phase. The plaintiffs argue that the passage of time should not prevent the investigation of allegations involving torture and human rights abuses.
Although decades have passed since SAVAK’s period of operation, victims of the organization continue to demand accountability from its officials. Many human rights activists also stress that responsibility for torture and political crimes should not be erased by time or statutes of limitation, and that justice, even if delayed, must be allowed to take its course.
