In a recent investigative project, BBC News Persian has meticulously verified the identities of over 200 victims of Iran's violent crackdown on public protests. Utilizing a comprehensive approach that included scrutinizing social media footage and corroborating witness statements, the investigation seeks to create a detailed narrative surrounding each individual's death during the turmoil that began in late December.
These accounts, many gathered through networks and friends associated with the deceased, have been cross-examined against reports from reputable human rights organizations. By late January, the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reported that 6,872 protesters had died since the unrest erupted, with shocking figures that included more than 150 children.
Among the identified victims are Mansoureh Heydari and her husband, Behrouz Mansouri, who were fatally shot by security forces on January 8 while participating in protests in Bushehr. Their tragic story exemplifies the heartbreaking toll of the crackdown. They left behind two children, aged eight and ten.
Reported incidents highlight the unnecessary violence, with many victims being young individuals between their late teens and early thirties. Notably, 17-year-old Ghazal Damarcheli was shot outside her home just days later, while her friend Negin Ghadimi, 28, was also tragically killed, underscoring the urgency to document these lives lost.
Despite Iranian authorities acknowledging at least 3,000 casualties, they claim that many were security personnel, contesting widely accepted figures. The investigation remains critical not only for honoring these victims but also for revealing the ongoing human rights violations in Iran. BBC News Persian is committed to expanding this project, aiming to document more names and harrowing tales as verification processes continue.
These accounts, many gathered through networks and friends associated with the deceased, have been cross-examined against reports from reputable human rights organizations. By late January, the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reported that 6,872 protesters had died since the unrest erupted, with shocking figures that included more than 150 children.
Among the identified victims are Mansoureh Heydari and her husband, Behrouz Mansouri, who were fatally shot by security forces on January 8 while participating in protests in Bushehr. Their tragic story exemplifies the heartbreaking toll of the crackdown. They left behind two children, aged eight and ten.
Reported incidents highlight the unnecessary violence, with many victims being young individuals between their late teens and early thirties. Notably, 17-year-old Ghazal Damarcheli was shot outside her home just days later, while her friend Negin Ghadimi, 28, was also tragically killed, underscoring the urgency to document these lives lost.
Despite Iranian authorities acknowledging at least 3,000 casualties, they claim that many were security personnel, contesting widely accepted figures. The investigation remains critical not only for honoring these victims but also for revealing the ongoing human rights violations in Iran. BBC News Persian is committed to expanding this project, aiming to document more names and harrowing tales as verification processes continue.
