Sonia Sharifi, known for her iconic image with hands raised in defiance during anti-hijab protests in Iran, has revealed that she has once again been subjected to abduction and brutality by authorities. This marks the second time the teenager has been targeted in a crackdown initiated by Iran following last year's sweeping protests.
Amidst the backdrop of persistent daily protests in Abdanan that had lasted for four months, Sonia Sharifi's return home was celebrated by her family, friends, and neighbors. However, the ongoing demonstrations were testament to the unrest gripping the nation. Tragically, eight months later, Sharifi shared an image displaying a head injury, detailing that she had been wounded by security forces during her subsequent detention. Her account includes being forcibly removed from her car, blindfolded, and subjected to abduction and physical abuse.
A human rights watchdog called Hengaw, dedicated to monitoring violations in Iran, reported that the 17-year-old suffered a series of injuries. Following over two hours of threats, interrogation, and torture, she was left alone on a street in Abdanan.
Amidst this wave of repression, more than 500 protesters have lost their lives, with thousands detained, as documented by the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA). Furthermore, a number of demonstrators have even faced execution. Iran's Revolutionary Guards previously dismissed reports about Sonia Sharifi's arrest in December, blaming "hostile media" for alleged falsehoods. The authorities have not yet responded to Sharifi's recent claims.
This grim incident has transpired roughly a month before the one-year anniversary of Mahsa Amini's tragic death while in police custody—a catalyst for anti-hijab protests across the nation. As this significant date approaches, Iran International, a US-based Iranian news channel, has reported that security agencies within Iran have commenced campaigns of intimidation and threats against potential protesters.
In the midst of these developments, an independent international mission tasked with fact-finding in Iran has, in a July report, called upon the government to cease its relentless crackdown on peaceful protesters. The urgent plea highlights the need to address the escalating situation and safeguard human rights.
