Leaked Report Confirms Iranian Security Forces’ Involvement in Teen Protester’s Murder and Assault

Tragic Death of Iranian Teen Linked to Security Forces, According to Leaked Documents

An Iranian teenager, Nika Shakarami, reportedly faced sexual assault and murder by three members of the security forces, as revealed in a classified document believed to have originated from within the Iranian security apparatus. Nika, only 16 years old when she went missing during protests against stringent dress code regulations for women, was last seen at an anti-government protest in September 2022. Her lifeless body was discovered nine days later, amidst official claims that she had died by suicide.

The “Highly Confidential” report summarizes a hearing conducted by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), detailing accusations against her alleged assailants and higher-ups who purportedly attempted to conceal the truth. The document provides unsettling accounts of the events leading to Nika’s death, including a horrifying description of her treatment while in custody.

Details of the Report

The report, which highlights that Nika was sexually assaulted while being restrained, suggests the following:

One of the assailants allegedly molested her during her confinement.
Nika reportedly resisted her captors, yelling and kicking.
Her defiance led to the men responding with physical violence against her.

Despite the existence of numerous fraudulent documents related to Iranian official matters, the BBC undertook a thorough verification process of the information in the report. Investigations indicated that the records outline Nika’s final movements with credible accuracy.

Context of the Protests

Nika’s disappearance coincided with widespread protests across Iran, which erupted after the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman who died while in police custody, allegedly for not adequately wearing her hijab. Nika’s image became a symbol of the struggle for women’s rights in Iran, as her name echoed among crowds demanding justice and reform.

Initially, her family located her body at a nearby mortuary, but the Iranian government dismissed the link to the protests, claiming she had taken her own life. However, footage of Nika shortly before she vanished shows her participating in the protests, burning hijabs, and vocally opposing the regime.

Events Leading to Her Arrest

The IGRC’s internal report details a staged attempt to identify Nika as a leader among the protesters, leading to her pursuit and eventual detention by undercover officers. Surveillance operatives monitored her actions, and after confirming her identity, they initiated an arrest.

After being detained, she was placed in an unmarked vehicle with three IRGC operatives, including Arash Kalhor, Sadegh Monjazy, and Behrooz Sadeghy. The report indicates that attempts to transfer her initially failed, leading to a disturbing chain of events that ultimately resulted in her death.

Circumstances Surrounding Her Death

The report details a series of alarming interactions inside the vehicle, including accounts of assault that escalated into violence. Witness accounts from the security personnel involved described a chaotic scene as they struggled to maintain control over Nika, ending with her lifeless body being discovered by the team leader, Morteza Jalil.

According to Jalil’s statement, upon finding Nika unresponsive, the IRGC ordered her body to be disposed of discreetly, further fueling suspicions of a cover-up. The report strongly contradicts the government’s narrative, which claimed Nika had jumped from a building, an assertion her mother publicly disputed.

Official Response and Ongoing Implications

The Iranian government has yet to address the grave allegations contained within the leaked report. Additionally, the judiciary has not held accountable those responsible for Nika’s death. The document indicates that the operatives involved in the incident were linked to a paramilitary group, Hezbollah, and emphasizes the challenges of pursuing justice in such cases.