23-year-old protester killed by security forces in western Iran’s Borujerd
A 23-year-old Iranian protester, Ariana Arjamandi, was killed in the western city of Borujerd after being shot at close range by security forces while attending protests on Jan. 8, informed sources told Iran International.
Security forces shot Arjmandi in the heart on Takhti Street in Borujerd, Lorestan province, the sources said.
Authorities later pressured Arjamandi’s family to declare him as a “martyr” and claim he was killed by protesters, and asked that he be buried in the southern city of Fasa.
The family rejected both demands, describing them as humiliating.
On Jan. 11, the family was informed they would be allowed to bury his body at midnight without notifying relatives. The burial was carried out within an hour in the presence of security agents.
Iran’s judiciary spokesman rejected as “completely false” a report by Iran International that put the death toll from the recent crackdown at 12,000, and denied claims that families are being charged to receive bodies.
Asghar Jahanagir dismissed the 12,000 figure as a fabrication promoted by what he called anti-Islamic Republic media.
He argued that whatever the number of deaths, responsibility lay with those he accused of inciting unrest.
He also denied reports that money is taken from families to hand over bodies, saying forensic services are provided free of charge.
