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, which are too graphic to show without blurring, depict the bloodied and bruised faces of at least 326 victims, including 18 women, displayed at a south Tehran mortuary. These images represent one of the rare methods for families to identify their deceased loved ones amidst widespread violence.
Many victims were beyond recognition, with 69 labeled as John or Jane Doe due to the extent of their injuries. The dates on over 100 labels indicate that a significant number perished on January 9, marking one of the deadliest nights for protesters amidst widespread clashes against security forces fueled by calls for action from opposition groups.
This unprecedented leak provides only a glimpse into the thousands who have fallen victim to state violence. BBC Verify continues to investigate the protests that began in late December, encountering severe limitations due to an imposed internet blackout hindering documentation efforts.
Despite official accounts from Iran's Supreme Leader acknowledging thousands of deaths, he has shifted blame to foreign entities, including the U.S. and Israel, framing the deceased as 'seditionists'.
Efforts to report the death toll have been further complicated by the blackout as even sporadic connectivity allows citizens to share names and details of victims on social media. The current independent estimates by human rights groups suggest that the death toll exceeds 4,000, emphasizing the scale of the government's violent response to dissent.
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, which are too graphic to show without blurring, depict the bloodied and bruised faces of at least 326 victims, including 18 women, displayed at a south Tehran mortuary. These images represent one of the rare methods for families to identify their deceased loved ones amidst widespread violence.
Many victims were beyond recognition, with 69 labeled as John or Jane Doe due to the extent of their injuries. The dates on over 100 labels indicate that a significant number perished on January 9, marking one of the deadliest nights for protesters amidst widespread clashes against security forces fueled by calls for action from opposition groups.
This unprecedented leak provides only a glimpse into the thousands who have fallen victim to state violence. BBC Verify continues to investigate the protests that began in late December, encountering severe limitations due to an imposed internet blackout hindering documentation efforts.
Despite official accounts from Iran's Supreme Leader acknowledging thousands of deaths, he has shifted blame to foreign entities, including the U.S. and Israel, framing the deceased as 'seditionists'.
Efforts to report the death toll have been further complicated by the blackout as even sporadic connectivity allows citizens to share names and details of victims on social media. The current independent estimates by human rights groups suggest that the death toll exceeds 4,000, emphasizing the scale of the government's violent response to dissent.
