PAAIA Statement on Virginia AG Decision to Drop Investigation of Bijan Ghaisar’s Death

For Immediate Release 
Contact: Aman Ardalan 
Email:  aman@paaia.org 
Phone: (202) 828-8370 

Washington, DC – Today, the Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans (PAAIA) issued the following statement in response to news that Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares has dropped an appeal which effectively ends the pursuit of prosecution against the two U.S. Park Police officers involved in Bijan Ghaisar’s death: 

“Attorney General Miyares’ decision to drop the appeal is outrageous and unacceptable.” said Leila Austin, PAAIA’s Executive Director. “PAAIA strongly urges the Biden Administration and Attorney General Merrick Garland to swiftly review and reverse the previous administration’s Department of Justice decision to not federally investigate Bijan Ghaisar’s death. Bijan Ghaisar and his family deserve justice and accountability for his senseless and needless death.” 

This news comes after a judge in October dismissed state charges against the U.S. Park Police officers involved, a move PAAIA strongly condemned. At the time, prosecutors for Virginia’s former Attorney General Mark Herring appealed the decision. Virginia’s new AG Miyares has now dismissed the appeal. 

PAAIA has long stood with the Ghaisar family as they seek accountability, and we will continue to do so. We strongly urge Attorney General Merrick Garland to investigate. 

#WeAreBijan 

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About PAAIA 

The Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans (PAAIA) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, nonsectarian organization that serves the interests of Iranian Americans and represents the community before U.S. policymakers and the American public at large.