Revealing Names and Faces of the Victims of Iran's Protest Crackdown

BBC News Persian has verified the identities of more than 200 of the thousands of people killed during Iran's brutal crackdown on the recent widespread protests. The project has scoured social media, verified online footage, and used eyewitness accounts to chronicle how and when these protesters were murdered, as well as various details about their lives.

Many of these accounts were provided by sources close to the victims and were cross-checked against data from human rights organizations. Since the unrest began in late December, the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) has confirmed the deaths of 6,872 protesters, including over 150 children.

'Side by Side'

Iranian authorities acknowledge that at least 3,000 people were killed but claim some were members of the security forces. Pictures and information about victims identified by BBC News Persian can be explored on their site. Among those killed were Mansoureh Heydari and her husband, Behrouz Mansouri. They joined protests in Bushehr, where they were shot by security forces on January 8. The couple died side by side, leaving behind two children.

'Dad, I'm Burning'

One 17-year-old art student, Ghazal Damarcheli, was shot outside her home in Karaj, west of Tehran. Her family revealed that she died in her father's arms after being hit while protesting. The ongoing project aims to add further names and personal stories as verification continues, emphasizing the human impact of the governmental crackdown.

The BBC Visual Journalism team has created an interactive 'face wall' on their site where readers can learn about the victims identified through this research. Despite challenges, including internet restrictions imposed by the Iranian government, the team collaborates with sources inside Iran to piece together the tragic loss of life during these protests.