When the Moon Was Full 2019

Meeting at the Zahedan bazaar

Abdolhamid, working in a bazaar in Zahedan, meets Faezeh and her mother who are customers. The encounter sets off a chain of events that pulls Abdolhamid into the world of Jundallah. This initial meeting marks the beginning of a dangerous path for both characters.

Abdolhamid's family ties to Jundallah

Abdolhamid is revealed as the younger brother of Abdolmalek Rigi, the leader of Jundallah. This familial connection explains his eventual involvement with the group. The revelation foreshadows the loyalties that will shape the ensuing conflict.

Marriage and move to Pakistan

Abdolhamid marries Faezeh and forces her to relocate to Pakistan with her brother Shahab. The marriage binds Faezeh to Abdolhamid and pulls her into the militant world. The move shifts the family into the heart of Jundallah's activities.

Faezeh and Shahab join Jundallah activities

Faezeh and Shahab become involved in Jundallah operations. Their inclusion widens the circle tied to the group and deepens the family’s entanglement with its activities. The siblings’ involvement increases the stakes for everyone connected to them.

Family learns of captivity in Pakistan

Faezeh's family discovers she has been taken captive by Jundallah in Pakistan. The revelation causes alarm for her safety and the fate of her children. This discovery escalates the crisis surrounding the family.

Shahab is beheaded by Jundallah

Shahab is executed by beheading after the group believes he is an Iranian agent. The brutal act demonstrates the ruthlessness of Jundallah and profoundly affects Faezeh and her family. The beheading intensifies the group's menace and reach.

Abdolmalek orders a televised beheading video

Abdolmalek calls Shahab and Faezeh's father to urge him to watch a video of Shahab's beheading on Al-Arabiya the following night. The call underscores the group's use of media for intimidation. It reveals how they exploit propaganda to spread fear.

Faezeh stays in Pakistan with her children

Faezeh has a chance to escape from Pakistan but chooses to remain there with her three children. Her decision cements her entrapment within the militant environment. The choice reinforces the peril surrounding the family and their future.

Abdolhamid kills Faezeh on orders

On Abdolmalek's orders, Abdolhamid kills Faezeh while she is sleeping. The murder completes her capture and demonstrates the extreme violence used by the Rigi brothers to control those around them. The act seals a brutal chapter in the family saga.

2010: Plane forced to land in Iran; arrests

In 2010, Abdolmalek is traveling to Bishkek from Dubai on a regular Airbus when an Iranian intelligence officer forces the plane to land in Iran. This forced landing leads to the arrest of both Rigi brothers. The interception effectively ends their militant travel and operations.

Trial and execution in Iran

Following their capture, a court finds the Rigi brothers guilty of dozens of criminal acts and sentences them to execution in the same year. The legal proceedings mark the formal end of their militant activities in Iran. The verdict closes a violent chapter tied to regional instability.

Officials blame foreign funding

Iranian officials publicly accuse the United States and some Arab countries of funding Abdolmalek Rigi's activities. The statements reflect a broader narrative about international involvement in regional terrorism. The allegations frame the Rigi network within geopolitical tensions.

Hints of a meeting near Bishkek

Unnamed officers claim Abdolmalek was on his way to a meeting with diplomat Richard Holbrooke near Bishkek. The purported destination suggests a wider web of international contact attributed to the Rigi leadership. The claim ties the case to broader diplomatic intrigue.