BBC World: Documents Show Nika Shakeri Was Sexually Assaulted by Officials and Killed

BBC World reported on Monday in a detailed report that it has obtained documents indicating that Nika Shakeri, a 16-year-old Iranian protester, was sexually assaulted by government agents and killed during the nationwide protests in Iran in the fall of 2022. The British government-owned network claims that the basis for its assertion is a 'highly confidential' report from a hearing regarding Nika Shakeri's case by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which includes the names of her killers and senior commanders who attempted to cover up the truth. According to the report, which 'Voice of America' cannot independently verify, Nika Shakeri did not commit suicide as per the official reports of the Islamic Republic, but was detained and abused by three men affiliated with the government forces. Despite being restrained and receiving multiple baton strikes, she showed significant resistance against the agents. The report adds that government agents spotted Nika standing on a trash can near Laleh Park in Tehran, where she was chanting slogans against the leader of the Islamic Republic, identifying her as the 'leader of the protests' and attempting to arrest her among the protesting crowd. However, Nika managed to escape but was arrested an hour later and transferred to a refrigerated van. BBC World, based on documents it claims to have obtained, identifies 'Arash Kalleh, Sadegh Monjazi, and Behrouz Sadeqi' as the arresting officers and 'Morteza Jalil' as the group leader, stating that due to Nika's excessive resistance and continued chanting, the temporary detention center refused to accept her, and it was decided to transfer her to Evin Prison. During the transfer, she engaged in a struggle with the officers inside the van, which led 'Arash Kalleh' to gag Nika with his socks and 'Sadegh Monjazi' to sit on her to calm the situation. According to the report, the officers accompanying Nika Shakeri sexually assaulted her during the transfer to Evin Prison, and after Nika resisted their actions, they beat her with a baton, ultimately killing her. They then disposed of her body on the orders of 'Naeem 16', under the identity of 'Captain Mohammad Zamani', in a quiet street on Imam Khomeini Highway in Tehran. This report comes as official media of the Islamic Republic and state television claimed that Nika Shakeri jumped from the roof of a building and committed suicide. Voice of America reiterates that it cannot independently verify this report. Last winter, a 'highly confidential' report from the Iranian forensic organization regarding Nika Shakeri was leaked, which received widespread attention. This document is one of millions of documents leaked from the Iranian judiciary by the hacking group 'Justice Ali', made publicly available since March 1. According to this document, Nika Shakeri was transferred to the forensic organization in Kahrizak on September 21, 2022, 'as an unidentified corpse' from the 129th police station, with the cause of referral noted as 'falling from a building'. According to this document, which is a report from Abbas Masoudi Arani, the head of the forensic organization, to 'Ansari', the political and social deputy of the Supreme National Security Council, 'upon examination of the body, the cause of death was multiple bodily injuries following the impact of a hard object'. In addition to 'injuries consistent with a struggle or defensive injuries on the body' of Nika Shakeri, 'during the genital examination, signs of assault or violent sexual relations were evident'. A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, in response to this news and in reply to the Persian section of Voice of America, condemned the killing of Nika Shakeri by the Iranian security forces and emphasized America's commitment to supporting human rights for the people of Iran and holding the Islamic Republic accountable for the killing of protesters. The spokesperson, regarding the released documents indicating that Nika Shakeri was sexually assaulted by the agents of the Islamic Republic before her death, stated: 'We cannot verify the authenticity of the leaked documents. However, we have previously condemned the brutal killing of Nika Shakeri and the horrific treatment of other young girls and the killing of protesters, regardless of their age, who participated in peaceful demonstrations and were subjected to beatings, torture, and sexual violence.' Shaghayegh Norouzi: According to the leaked document about the assault on Nika Shakeri, she fought until the last moment. Aida Shakeri was released from prison after posting bail. Aida Shakeri, Nika Shakeri's sister, was arrested for 'not wearing mandatory hijab'. Exclusive | U.S. State Department: We condemn the killing of Nika Shakeri and the horrific behavior of the Islamic Republic with protesters. Disclosure of the document of 'assault' on Nika Shakeri before her death; users: The Islamic Republic is an enemy of humanity. Exclusive; Six bullets fired at the brother of an environmental activist who planted a tree on Nika Shakeri's grave. Nika was buried under the escort of 76 armored vehicles and hundreds of security forces. The White House regarding the death of Armita Garavand: This violence against the people indicates the 'fragility of the regime'. U.S. reaction to the death of Armita Garavand: The violence of the Islamic Republic against women has been 'devastating'.