Anne Moran slams ‘unfair’ Abrahimzadeh SA Weekend feature

A special feature revealing a harrowing new episode in a colleague’s life triggered a demand for her “life story” to be told before council elections.

Miles Kemp

2 min read

September 7, 2022 - 10:20AM

'My mother was murdered by my father, in front of about 300 people'

SA News

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Adelaide City Councillor Anne Moran has demanded her “life story” be told, launching a bitter complaint that it was “unfair” a fellow councillor was able to tell of the moment he recently confronted his killer father.

Cr Moran has vented her frustration at the timing of a story in The Advertiser on Saturday – in which Cr Arman Abrahimzadeh revealed the harrowing moment he confronted his dad, who murdered his mother Zahra – and says now it should be her turn given council elections are in November.

Adelaide City Councillor Anne Moran. Picture: Emma Brasier

Arman Abrahimzadeh at the prison where his father Zialloh is serving a 26-year prison sentence for the murder of Arman's mother, Zahra. Picture: Matt Turner

“Fantastic story, however, is it appropriate as he is running as an area councillor with an election in a few months,’’ Cr Moran wrote in an email to The Advertiser.

“I am also running. It seems very unfair the timing of this story.

“Having given Arman a huge article during an electoral campaign, I would appreciate a similar one.

“Everyone has a life story. His of course is huge and heart-rending.”

Cr Alexander Hyde said he was shocked by Cr Moran’s criticism.

“This is a man who has experienced real tragedy and turned it around to make a huge positive impact on lives of women and children affected by domestic violence, yet Anne Moran thinks it should all be about her,’’ Cr Hyde said.

“You couldn’t have a starker contrast between these two councillors.”

Cr Abrahimzadeh is a member of the Team Adelaide faction of the council, while Cr Moran is from the rival faction Team North Adelaide.

Following his mother’s murder, Cr Abrahimzadeh established the Zahra Foundation to campaign against domestic violence.

“Victim survivors of violence share their journey and experiences in order to raise awareness and assist others who might be experiencing similar difficulties and challenges,’’ he said.

“Family and domestic violence is a national scourge that must always remain above politics.”

Councillor Anne Moran during Adelaide City Council meeting at Adelaide Town Hall. Picture: Brenton Edwards

Cr Moran on Tuesday hit back at Cr Hyde’s criticism of her.

“I am not criticising Arman, that’s a terrible thing for Cr Hyde to say,’’ she said.

“His story is brave and inspiring. It’s the timing I am criticising, seeing it happened some time ago and we are about to go into an election.

“For Cr Hyde to suggest that, and to cast the negative comparison between Arman and me, is horrible.

“My complaint is with the paper’s timing, not, and I repeat not, with Arman.”

Independent lord mayoral candidate Rex Patrick, who has been endorsed for the top job by Cr Moran but is not a member of either council faction, said Cr Abrahimzadeh had a right to share his story.

“Politicians, of which councillors are, share stories with newspapers all the time,’’ he said.

Mr Patrick has been recognised for his time as a senator for SA with the prestigious Missen Award, given to MPs who have displayed the most integrity and accountability in public life – an award Cr Moran spruiked as “impressive”.