Friedrich-Naumann-Stiftung: Schah-Sohn erhält Preis für Irans Volk - Demonstrationen

In Frankfurt, Iranian opposition politician Reza Pahlavi received the Freedom Award from the Friedrich-Naumann Foundation, representing the Iranian people oppressed by the Mullah regime. The Foundation, affiliated with the FDP, bestowed the prize for his desire for freedom. Around 5,000 demonstrators, mostly Pahlavi supporters, were present in the city center during lunchtime, with a total of 30,000 people registered for the large gathering in Ostpark.

Pahlavi, a son of the deposed Shah from 1979, has emerged as a potential transitional leader if the current Tehran government falls. Critics point to the monarchist past of his country under his father's autocratic rule. At the ceremony in Frankfurt's Paulskirche, Pahlavi announced his intention to hand the award to the Iranian people someday - not on foreign soil but in their capital, Tehran.

He sees himself as a bridge-builder, stating the Islamic Republic is not the legitimate government of Iran. The largely Iranian crowd in the Paulskirche repeatedly interrupted the ceremony with chants: "Long live the Shah, long live Iran!" FDP European Parliament member Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann emphasized Pahlavi's stance that the Iranian people decide their own future.

Not everyone agrees with the award given to the Shah's son. Despite the demonstration, Pahlavi has found many supporters, with around 3,000 people with flags and banners marching near the Paulskirche - mostly Pahlavi supporters. Police have deployed a large force in the city and one man was arrested near the gatherings. A livestream reference was noted where Pahlavi allegedly announced criminal intentions.