She had just been released after spending eleven days in detention. Yalda Aghafazli was 19 years old and allegedly committed suicide around November 10th 2022, several activists and journalists report, including Samira Mohyeddin.
Like many Iranian women, this artist had mobilized and took to the streets to demonstrate after the death of Mahsa Amini last September, which sparked these unprecedented demonstrations against the regime.
Locked up for 10 days in Qarchak prison
Yalda Aghafazli was arrested in Tehran on 26 October and imprisoned first in Evin prison and then in Qarchak women’s prison, known for its unsanitary and particularly harsh conditions of detention.
What happened in prison, so that a few days after her release, the young woman decided to take her own life? According to Iranwire, she was beaten and went on a hunger strike while she was incarcerated.
In a message in Farsi circulating on social media, Yalda Aghafalzi can be heard recounting how she stood up to her captors during interrogation and refused to express remorse.
While she was not directly killed by Iranian law enforcement, Yalda Aghafazli’s name is a new symbol of the crackdown on protesters.
Iran Human Rights continues its horrific tally of people killed for protesting the Islamic Republic of Iran: As of November 12, 2022, 326 people, including 43 children, were killed. A protester, whose name has not been disclosed, was also sentenced to death for his participation in the mobilization. 800 people have been charged and are awaiting trial.
This Monday, November 14, Emmanuel Macron received four Iranian activists, including committed journalist Masih Alinejad. He said he wanted to hire a “strong diplomatic reaction” as well as penalties.
Photo credit: Samira Mohyeddin via Twitter (capture)
Source: Madmoizelle
Ashley Root is an author and celebrity journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a keen eye for all things celebrity, Ashley is always up-to-date on the latest gossip and trends in the world of entertainment.
