Warning: this story contains graphic content which some readers might find distressing.
Hundreds of photos revealing the faces of those killed during Iran's violent crackdown on anti-government protests have been leaked to BBC Verify. The pictures, graphic in nature, portray the bloodied and disfigured faces of at least 326 victims, including 18 women. Displayed in a mortuary in south Tehran, these images have been instrumental for families trying to identify their deceased loved ones amidst a chaotic landscape.
Many victims were too severely injured for clear identification, with 69 noted as John or Jane Doe, indicating their identities remained unknown at the time. Among the deceased, only 28 had names visibly attached to their photographs. Labels indicate that a significant number of victims, whose deaths occurred on 9 January, were among the fatalities during one of the deadliest nights of the protests.
The protests, sparked by calls from exiled figures like Reza Pahlavi, have been marked by violent clashes with security forces. Protesters were notably vocal against Iran's supreme leadership and the Islamic Republic, enduring assaults even as they attempted to advocate for their rights.
The leaked images provide a glimpse into the broader context of the turmoil afflicting the nation, with estimates suggesting thousands have died at the hands of the government during this uprising.
As the violent response escalates, BBC Verify continues to gather information amid an oppressive internet blackout imposed by Iranian authorities, complicating efforts to document the extent of violence against civilians. Despite the government reporting several thousand deaths, the narrative framed by officials often shifts blame to foreign influences and those deemed insubordinate.
The leaked images outline the severity of the violence witnessed since the protests began and offer a profound, albeit harrowing, insight into the personal loss experienced by countless families struggling in the shadows of an oppressive regime.
