Born and educated in Iran, Dr. Aazam completed medical training and later served as a military physician in Tehran. His posting at Baghiatollah Hospital’s emergency ward placed him at the intersection of healthcare and state-sanctioned brutality. A pivotal moment came on June 27, 2003, when Zahra Kazemi—a Canadian-Iranian photojournalist detained by the government—was rushed in suffering from severe nasal fractures and other injuries. Through examination notes, Dr. Aazam recognized signs of torture and forced silencing a moment that marked the beginning of his journey as a medical witness to human rights violations.
From this point, he understood that treating patients was inseparable from documenting the abuses they endured. He became determined to provide medical care while gathering evidence of state violence—knowing that speaking out could endanger both himself and his patients.