Young Iranian woman who became a symbol of the protests after viral video

Hadis Najafi, 20, who became an internet icon protesting the death of Iran’s Mahsa Amini, is reported to have grown up in Karaj, near Tehran. Killed by Iranian security forces during demonstrations in the city.

Najafi’s blonde hair appeared in a video that went viral on social media showing the young woman confronting Iranian police without a veil, which is prohibited by Iranian regulations. Wearing a headband in public has been an obligation for women in the country since 1983, four years after the Islamic Revolution in 1979, regardless of religion or nationality.

However, Najafi, like many different Iranian women today, confronted law enforcement officials with their bare hands and was caught on camera as she tied them with rubber bands.

In such a light-hearted gesture, she vehemently opposed the same rules that led to the death of Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish woman, who reportedly died in custody in a fatal accident.

She was arrested by the Islamic Republic’s “morality police” for “improperly” wearing a hijab.

Amini’s death has sparked outrage among thousands across Iran, and many have taken to the streets, in many cities. Protests have swept the country every week, with demonstrators receiving violent responses from police and authorities.

The ladies have been the main focus of demonstrations in Iran, with many burning veils and cutting their hair in protest.

President Ibrahim Raisi was quoted by state media on Saturday as saying the country should “act decisively against those who oppose national security and tranquility”.

In many cities, as well as the capital, security forces responded to the protests by firing on demonstrators.

According to Amnesty International, at least 21 people and three teenagers were killed by security forces during the night of September 21. At least 41 people have been killed, Iranian state television reported on Sunday, but official figures have not been released.

Among those killed was Najafi.

Iranian journalist Masih Alinejad reported that, according to Najafi’s sister, the 20-year-old woman died after being hit by six bullets in the city of Karaj. The reporter, who did not disclose the date of Najafi’s death, described the information as “heartbreaking”.

“Hadis Najafi is a 21 year old woman who must transform into another icon like #MahsaAmini because she did not keep silent in the face of tyranny. She protested the brutal death of Massa And being killed. I also made the world the voice of #HadisNajafi. A true hero,” Alenejad tweeted.

The reporter shared footage from Najafi’s funeral, noting that she was “a woman with a good heart who likes to bounce back.”

Global hacking group Nameless, recognized for its numerous cyberattacks on government and authority institutions and businesses, hacked the database of Iran’s Supreme Audit Agency and leaked information on all members of Iran’s parliament, as well as their Telephone. disclosed figures.

Newsweek has reached out to Iran Overseas for comment.