An Iranian-Australian man living in Brisbane has described the traumatic ordeal of his family in Iran after a relative was shot dead during anti-government protests, and the grim search through hundreds of bodies to find her remains.
A Fatal Protest in Karaj
Payam*, who sought refuge in Australia at 17, maintained close ties with family still in Iran. His world shifted last week when a cousin called with devastating news. The call came during a brief easing of a severe nationwide communication blackout imposed by authorities.
The victim, Eli*, was reportedly shot and killed instantly on 8 January. She was standing beside her older sister during a demonstration in the city of Karaj, located approximately 44 kilometres from the capital, Tehran. Payam stated that the surviving sister is now struggling with severe trauma.
The Harrowing Search for a Body
The family's anguish was compounded by the bureaucratic nightmare of retrieving Eli's body. According to Payam, based on accounts from relatives in Iran, one family member was forced to undertake a gruesome search at a medical facility.
"She found her after 700 bodies," Payam said, explaining that the relative had to open countless body bags, examining the faces of the deceased amidst horrific scenes. "She was exhausted and couldn't stop crying... She had to look at every single one of them."
Authorities then presented the immediate family with a chilling ultimatum. They could either pay the equivalent of $9,000 to retrieve the body, or sign a document falsely stating that Eli was a regime supporter killed by civilians, in which case no fee would be charged. The family borrowed money to pay.
A Community in Anguish and a Regime's Crackdown
Payam's story reflects the pain within Australia's Iranian diaspora, many of whom are mourning loved ones or, worse, are still waiting for news due to the ongoing communication blackout. The blackout was initiated over 11 days ago in a bid to quell the unrest.
The protests, initially sparked by economic crisis and political mismanagement, have evolved into a broader movement against the theocratic leadership. Payam noted his own sisters in Iran have participated, and he fears for their safety. "We can't sleep properly at night. We just keep waking up... keep looking at the news," he confessed.
In a significant admission, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei acknowledged on Thursday that thousands had been killed in the recent protests. Eli's death in Karaj occurred on the same day and in the same city where Erfan Soltani – the first protester sentenced to death in the current wave – was arrested.
*Names have been changed to protect the safety of family members in Iran.
