The first day of the Shilat trial was marked by an unexpected silence. Of the five defendants, four refused to answer the court’s questions, choosing instead to remain silent throughout the session. Only one defendant agreed to speak. The courtroom was packed with journalists, legal observers, and members of the public. Ettelaat’s headline the next morning captured the mood perfectly: “Silence of the Shilat Defendants in Court.”
The main defendants were charged with fraud, forgery, and abuse of authority. The prosecution presented a case file spanning 5,000 pages, describing how funds from the Northern Fisheries Company had been diverted into private accounts and falsified contracts. The total amount of disputed transactions was estimated at 30 million rials, a vast sum at the time.
Among the defendants, Brigadier General Farajollah Novi (Navisi) stood out as the highest-ranking figure. Journalists noted his calm demeanor and self-assured posture. When asked by reporters whether he would defend himself, he famously replied: “Let’s see what happens.”
The next day, on the second day of the trial, the defendants finally broke their silence, denying the charges in strong terms. They argued that they had followed administrative orders and that any financial discrepancies were due to “clerical errors.” Despite this, Brigadier General Novi continued to refuse direct questioning, insisting on remaining silent for the remainder of the proceedings. His stoicism and refusal to cooperate turned him into both a symbol of defiance and an enigma for the press.
