Atash Shahkarami

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Atash Shahkarami was detained for speaking out about the disappearance and murder of an anti-hijab protester.

On October 2, 2022, security forces arrested Shahkarami after she spoke with the BBC and posted on social media about the disappearance and murder of her niece, Nika Shahkarami. Nika Shahkarami, a 16-year-old student, went missing on September 20, 2022, after participating in anti-hijab protests. 10 days after her disappearance, Nika’s body was found in a morgue in Tehran, and her family was reportedly not allowed access to her body. Security agents had reportedly been chasing Nika the day of her disappearance, and Atash told the BBC that the Revolutionary Guard had admitted to having her in their custody. Prior to her burial scheduled for October 3, 2022, security forces reportedly “stole” Nika’s body and buried her in another town.  Following Atash’s arrest, sources indicate that security forces threatened to kill her if anyone from their family took part in the nationwide protests.

On October 5, 2022, Atash Shahkarami and her husband, Mohsen Shahkarami, appeared on a state TV report making statements confirming the government’s narrative about Nika’s death. It is reported that security forces threatened to kill their family if the two did not make these statements or confess.

On October 9, 2022, it was reported that Shahkarami had been released.