Iran Arrests Victims Of Eye Injuries During Protests

Two Iranian protesters who suffered eye injuries during the 2022-2023 protests have been arrested as the regime cracks down further on dissidents.

Amir Shahvelayati and Matin Hassani were apprehended on Tuesday in Tehran and Bukan, West Azarbaijan province, respectively.

Human rights organizations Hengaw and HRANA reported that Amir Shahvelayati was summoned to the Evin courthouse on Tuesday, detained, and subsequently transferred to Evin Prison. The charges against him include "propaganda against the system," "membership in a subversive group," and "actions against security."

Shahvelayati sustained eye damage from a pellet shot during the Woman Life Freedom protests. First arrested last May, he was released on bail after two months until the latest arrest.

Matin Hassani, another victim of eye injuries, was reportedly arrested in Bukan on the same day. Hassani lost vision in one eye due to a pellet gunshot during protests following the death in custody of Mahsa Amini.

Recent weeks saw him sharing images of his visits to the graves of protest victims. His arrest coincided with the publication of images showing him at the gravesite of Yalda Aghafazli, a victim of the Woman Life Freedom movement.

Despite the arrests, the judicial authorities of the Islamic Republic have not issued any official comments on the situation.

In September, the Iran Human Rights Organization (IHR) disclosed the identities of numerous individuals who suffered eye injuries when Iranian security forces fired at protesters. The IHR emphasized in its report that security forces targeted protesters' eyes, particularly women, in a "systematic and deliberate" manner with alarming precision.

The report documented 138 cases of eye injuries, with 43 individuals choosing anonymity while providing evidence. The remaining 95 cases, including 8 children under 18, were extensively detailed in the report.