Florida Judge Allows Lawsuit Against Alleged Shah of Iran’s ‘Chief Torturer’ to Proceed

Florida Judge Allows Iran Torture Case to Proceed

A federal judge in Florida, Gregory A Presnell, rejected a motion by Parviz Sabeti to halt a lawsuit brought by three former Iranian political prisoners. The suit, filed under the Torture Victim Protection Act (TVPA), accuses Sabeti of directing or participating in the detention and torture of thousands of Shah-era opponents.

Sabeti, who reportedly lived in a quiet central Florida community, is alleged to have been the head of Savak, the Shah’s secret police and intelligence agency. The plaintiffs discovered his whereabouts after a photo of him at a 2023 protest was posted by his daughter. They claim he used torture devices such as an electric chair nicknamed Apollo and inflicted rape, electric shocks, near-drownings and forced nail extraction.

Sabeti has denied the allegations, stating he always opposed torture. He sought to dismiss the case on the basis of a statute of limitations and a summary judgment. Presnell denied the motion in August 2025, ordering discovery on whether the TVPA claim was time-barred and allowing the parties to argue for an extension.

The lawsuit includes documents showing Sabeti’s presence in Florida under his real name, including property records and a photograph with former Florida governor Jeb Bush. The plaintiffs argue extraordinary circumstances justify extending the filing deadline. The case may now move to discovery and potentially to trial next year.

The outcome could influence how U.S. courts handle claims against former foreign officials for historical human rights abuses.