Amnesty International names 87 Iranian officials accused of killing hundreds

New York – Agencies: Amnesty International has identified 87 Iranian officials whom it has called for criminal investigation on charges of committing crimes against humanity during the suppression of the “Woman, Life, Freedom” uprising in 2022. This was announced in a new 1,000-page report released to mark the fourth anniversary of the protests that erupted following the death of Mahsa Amini while in the custody of the Morality Police, after she refused to comply with hijab regulations. The report, which the organization described as “historic,” traces the command structure that oversaw the crackdown on the protests, from the highest decision-making levels to the security forces operating on the streets. Amnesty International stated that the Iranian authorities committed crimes against humanity during these events, including intentional killing, torture, enforced disappearance, imprisonment, rape, and persecution on political, ethnic, religious, and gender-based grounds. The report is based on a multi-year investigation that included interviews with 270 individuals, among them protesters, former detainees, relatives of those killed or detained, as well as eyewitnesses, lawyers, journalists, and medical workers. The organization also analyzed more than 2,000 video clips, along with official data and statements, leaked documents, prosecutorial orders, court rulings, and forensic records. Amnesty International documented the deaths of 377 protesters and bystanders, including 56 children, during the protests that primarily took place between September and December 2022. According to the report, most of these individuals were killed during the dispersal of the protests, while others died while in custody, after their release, or under circumstances that the organization said indicate state responsibility.