Iranian Activist Defiant After Her Expulsion Over Hijab

The killer, identified only as Bahram, was just 12 years old when he witnessed the brutal murder of his sister in the hands of their father and brothers, leaving him with serious mental trauma.

On Saturday, following a verbal altercation, Bahram, 22, a teacher, stormed his family's home armed with a Kalashnikov rifle, killing 12 people before being killed by police.

Among the dead were the parents, three brothers, two sisters, one sister-in-law, and four nephews. Additionally, three neighbors sustained injuries during the altercation but survived.

The incident sheds light on a broader issue of honor killings in Iran. Recent reports from human rights organizations have highlighted the trend, with 13 women falling victim to such violence across various cities between September 29 and October 16. 

The exact number of such murders remains undisclosed, obscured by secrecy and a lack of transparency within the regime. Previous estimates suggest an annual range of 375 to 450 such killings, indicating a likely higher toll due to underreporting data.

Mohsen Seyyedi, the Manager of Inspection and Supervision of Guilds in Khorasan Razavi Province, made the announcement regarding the closure of the shop situated on 17th of Shahrivar Street in Mashhad.

Seyyedi emphasized that the store, which primarily sold women's clothing, “engaged in unconventional behavior through its online advertising.” He stated that the sale of women's underwear should be exclusively conducted by female sellers.

Iranian regulations and restrictions concerning women's underwear stores are deeply influenced by cultural, religious, and legal considerations. The regulations mandate that such establishments must be operated by female shopkeepers, aligning with Islamic norms regarding “modesty and privacy”. Additionally, the advertising and display of women's underwear is generally forbidden.

Iranian authorities have in the past issued warnings to shop owners regarding the display of female mannequins wearing underwear or curve-revealing clothes. 

The crackdown is part of a broader campaign against women's clothing and hijab, intensified following protests following the death in custody of Mahsa Amini in 2022.

Since the Islamic Revolution in 1979, Iran's government has imposed restrictions on dress, requiring women to cover their hair and encouraging the wearing of traditional head-to-toe garments.

The report, titled 'Faceless Victims: Rights Violations Against Christians in Iran', co-released with Open Doors, CSW, and Middle East Concern, highlights the plight of numerous victims whose identities remain undisclosed due to fears of exacerbating their situation.

The arrests occurred in waves throughout the year. "Just a handful reported prior to June, then over 100 within the next three months, before a further rash of arrests at Christmas," the report states, underscoring the sudden spikes in persecution faced by the Christian community.

"At least 17 of the Christians arrested during the summer had received prison sentences of between three months and five years, or non-custodial punishments such as fines, flogging, and in one case the community-service of digging graves," researchers stated.

Only two individuals, Elisa Shahverdian and her husband, Hakop Gochumyan, were identified among those arrested during the summer, with Gochumyan still detained in Evin Prison.

Even when released from prison, the harassment continues, the report states, with seven different types of post-prison pressure listed, including continued monitoring, denial of employment and education, new charges or reopened cases. All of which, “make it increasingly difficult for Christians to remain in Iran”.

Like many escaping the regime, the report notes that “many [Christians] flee ... only to find a new set of challenges awaiting them as refugees".

Bible distributors are among the most harassed targets, with "over one-third of arrests targeting individuals in possession of multiple copies."

The Abrahamic faiths, Christianity, Islam and Judaism, are the only legal religions in Shia majority Iran, but Sunni minority Muslims, Jews and Christians continue to face persecution. Other minorities such as the 300,000 strong Bahai community, face systematic persecution.

Maryam Shokrani, an economic reporter, vocalized the frustration felt by many, stating, "They have deposited 25 million rials (less than 50 dollars) as pensioners' Eid gift; the money is equivalent to four pizzas and side dishes. Aren't they ashamed?!"

In Iran, the anticipation of the Muslim holiday of Eid which follows the Holy Month of Ramadan which begins next month, or the Iranian New Year, beginning on March 21, is often accompanied by the hope of receiving a bonus from employers.

The amount allocated for Eid or New Year bonuses has dwindled to such an extent that it no longer holds the purchasing power it once did. For countless families, the bonuses have become mere tokens, scarcely enough to cover basic necessities, let alone indulge in the customary tradition of purchasing new clothes for the occasion.

The size of the bonuses reflects broader economic challenges facing the country, including inflation and currency devaluation, which have eroded the value of salaries and bonuses alike.

In a bid to appease a disillusioned public on the eve of upcoming elections, Iranian workers are set to receive a government approved average salary increase of 20 percent starting in March, amid an annual inflation rate of around 50 percent. The new minimum monthly wage has been set at 115 million Iranian rials or about $230.

It comes as a slap in the face for workers and retirees alike. Iran's proxies across the Middle East from Lebanon to Yemen and beyond, received billions of dollars every year in funding, training and weapons from the regime, to the detriment of the country's civilians who have been pushed into the depths of poverty. Gaza-based Hamas alone has been receiving around $100 million from Iran for at least a decade according to the US Treasury while Lebanon and Yemen receive much higher patronage.

In an Instagram post on Monday, Ahmadi said, "This is neither Mohammad's handwriting nor his signature," underscoring the lack of authenticity. "They did not allow my son the opportunity to say goodbye to his family and bid us farewell."

The document shows a pre-prepared form outlining religious rituals after execution, with handwritten entries and a signature below. However, certain sections, notably the 'remarks' section, remain conspicuously blank, raising suspicions of manipulation.

"The lies continue," Ahmadi fumed. "I wish there were consequences for lying."

The revelation comes just days after Ghobadlou's lawyer was summoned to court for criticizing the handling of the trial. His legal team denounced the execution as "state murder" after he was charged with "waging war against God" and "corruption on earth" for his alleged involvement in assaulting and killing a special forces officer during protests in 2022.

So far, at least nine protesters have been executed in connection with the Women, Life, Freedom protests, amidst a record wave of executions last year amid deepening crackdowns.