Reported Mass Graves and Escalating Fears in Iran

Concerns are mounting over the potential for mass, unreported deaths in Iran following widespread protests that began in September 2022. Reports of numerous bodies appearing in the Kahrizak detention center and surrounding areas have surfaced, fueling fears of a brutal crackdown by Iranian authorities. Journalist Sahanand, who has been documenting the protests, reportedly traveled nearly 1,000km to a border area to circumvent internet restrictions and share video evidence using mobile data networks from neighboring countries.He claims to have witnessed over 2,000 bodies on Saturday, a claim the BBC has not yet independently verified.

Evidence of Multiple Deaths

While the BBC has been unable to confirm Sahanand’s figure, analysis of newly emerged videos from Kahrizak provides corroborating evidence. BBC Verify and BBC Persian have counted at least 186 bodies in one video and 178 in another. It is likely these videos depict some of the same individuals, suggesting the actual number of deaths is significantly higher.

Kahrizak Detention Center: A History of Abuse

The Kahrizak detention center has a dark history. During the 2009 post-election protests, it was the site of widespread reports of torture and abuse of detainees. Human Rights Watch documented numerous accounts of mistreatment, leading to its eventual closure.The re-emergence of Kahrizak as a focal point of alleged abuses raises serious concerns about a return to past practices.

Protester Fears and Flight

The current wave of protests, initially sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini while in the custody of morality police, has been met with a harsh response from the Iranian government.One young woman, speaking anonymously to BBC Persian, described the situation as “like a war.” Driven by fear of impending executions and prosecutions, she has fled the country, a sentiment echoed by many others. The escalating violence and potential for further repression are prompting a growing exodus from Iran.

International Response and Ongoing Investigations

International organizations and governments have condemned the violence and called for independent investigations into the reports of mass deaths and human rights abuses. The United Nations Security Council has discussed the situation in Iran, but concrete action has been limited. Continued monitoring and documentation of events on the ground are crucial to holding those responsible accountable.

Key Takeaways:

• Reports suggest a significant number of deaths related to the Iranian protests,potentially exceeding 2,000.
• Video evidence from Kahrizak detention center confirms the presence of numerous bodies.
• Kahrizak has a history of documented human rights abuses.
• Protesters are fleeing Iran due to fear of further repression.
• international pressure is mounting for an independent investigation.

Additional reporting by Farzad Seifikaran and Hasan Solhjou