Hadis Najafi
murdered after being shot
She was an Iranian woman who was fatally shot in Mehrshahr, Karaj, during the 2022 Iranian protests following the death of Mahsa Amini.
Biography
Hadis Najafi (Persian: حدیث نجفی; January 5, 2000 – September 21, 2022) was an Iranian woman who was shot and killed during the 2022 Iranian protests following the death of Mahsa Amini. Born in Karaj, she worked as a cashier and had a diploma in fashion design. Najafi had no prior history of activism but joined the protests against Iran’s mandatory hijab laws. She was shot multiple times by security forces on Eram Boulevard in Mehrshahr, Karaj, and later died at Ghaem Hospital. Her family was pressured by authorities to deny the cause of her death. She was buried at Behesht-e Sakineh cemetery, and her chehellom (40-day mourning ceremony) was met with heavy repression by Iranian security forces. Like Mahsa Amini, she became a symbol of female empowerment and resistance against Iran’s government.
Early Life and Background
Hadis Najafi was born on January 5, 2000, in Karaj, Iran. She was the fourth of five children, having three older sisters and a younger brother. Her parents were originally from Mianeh, East Azerbaijan province, and were Iranian Azerbaijanis. Najafi pursued a diploma in fashion design and worked as a cashier in a restaurant in Mehrshahr, Karaj.
Involvement in the 2022 Protests
Najafi was not previously known as an activist and had not openly spoken about women’s rights in Iran before the Mahsa Amini protests erupted in September 2022. However, following Amini’s death in police custody—after being detained for allegedly violating the mandatory hijab law—she felt compelled to join the protests.
On September 21, 2022, the night she was killed, Najafi sent a video to a friend, stating:
"I like to think that when I think about this a few years later, I’ll be pleased I joined the protest."
She left her home about 30 minutes before she was fatally shot.
Death and Government Response
Najafi was killed at around 8 PM on Eram Boulevard in Mehrshahr, Karaj. She was shot at least six times, with bullets striking her face, hand, neck, abdomen, and heart. Some reports, including her family's statements, suggest she was hit by at least twenty bullets. The Iranian government denied responsibility, claiming she was shot by protesters using non-police weapons, but this was strongly disputed by her family, activists, and international media.
She was taken to Ghaem Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Official medical records stated her cause of death as "swelling of the brain," a claim dismissed by her family. Iranian security forces barred her family from seeing her in the hospital until a sympathetic security guard led them to the morgue.
Authorities pressured her family to falsely state that she had died from a heart attack, and her father was allegedly drugged in an attempt to force him to confirm this narrative.
Burial and Chehellom
Najafi’s funeral took place on October 1, 2022, at Behesht-e Sakineh cemetery, with security forces present. Many mourners, particularly women, lit candles and left roses at her grave. A hijab-wearing photo of her was used during the funeral, causing controversy, though her mother later clarified that it was the only available image at the time.
On November 3, 2022, thousands attempted to attend her chehellom (40-day mourning ceremony), but security forces blocked access to the cemetery. Some protesters marched instead on Beheshti Boulevard, leading to clashes with police. Video verified by The Washington Post showed demonstrators throwing rocks at security forces, and at least one 17-year-old protester was shot and killed by authorities.
Legacy and Symbolism
Like Mahsa Amini, Hadis Najafi became an icon of defiance and women’s rights in Iran. Her death further fueled the protests, drawing global attention to the violent suppression of dissent in Iran. International human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and BBC Persian, verified her death and the Iranian government's attempts to cover up the circumstances surrounding it.
As of April 2023, the Iranian government had arrested 15 protesters, sentenced five to death, and executed two, with the remaining three awaiting judicial review.
Najafi’s story continues to symbolize the fight for freedom, women's rights, and resistance against oppression in Iran.
Pleas of Surviving Relatives and Family if any
Following the tragic death of Hadis Najafi during the 2022 Iranian protests, her family has faced ongoing harassment and intimidation from security forces. Her sister, Afsun, expressed the profound impact on their well-being, stating, "My family and I have no security. We are constantly stressed and have nightmares."
In an interview, Hadis's older sister, Shirin Najafi, confirmed the immense pressure exerted by security forces, who attempted to coerce the family into falsely stating that Hadis died of natural causes, without any involvement of bullets.
These experiences underscore the severe challenges faced by the Najafi family in their pursuit of justice for Hadis, highlighting the broader climate of fear and repression affecting grieving families in Iran.
Sources & References
Hadis Najafi was reportedly shot on Eram Boulevard in Mehrshahr, Karaj, on September 21, 2022, around 8 PM. She was struck at least six times, with bullets hitting her face, hand, neck, abdomen, and heart. Her family, however, claimed she had been hit by at least twenty bullets. The Iranian government alleged that she was shot by protesters using non-police weapons, but this claim was strongly disputed by her family, activists, and international media. Instead, they attributed her death to government-backed security forces. After being shot, Najafi was taken to Ghaem Hospital in Karaj, where she was pronounced dead. Official medical records stated that she died from "swelling of the brain," a claim dismissed by her family and human rights organizations.1 en.wikipedia.org Open source