Human Rights Sources: The Deceased Janitor at Niayesh Bridge Was 19 Years Old and a Citizen of Afghanistan

Human rights sources have identified the deceased janitor at Niayesh Bridge as Elyas Mohammadi, a 19-year-old citizen of Afghanistan. The Iran Human Rights Center reported on Thursday, February 22, that Elyas Mohammadi, a janitor who was thrown off the Niayesh Bridge by a supporter of the Islamic Republic on the morning of Friday, February 10, was a worker at a fruit shop in Tehran and also worked for the municipality at night. According to the center, a person who knew the young janitor stated that Tehran municipality officials removed a condolence notice for this young man from a fruit shop one day after it was posted and threatened the shop owner, saying he had 'no right to speak about this young man with anyone.' Meanwhile, Alireza Zakani, the mayor of Tehran, responded to criticisms regarding the concealment of information about the janitor's murder and the reason for not disclosing the victim's identity, stating that 'discussing the details and aspects of the janitor's death is beyond our authority.' According to the Iran Human Rights Center, Elyas Mohammadi worked during the day at a fruit shop named 'Dahqan's Cheap Store' on Northern Organization Plan Street, in western Tehran. The center described Elyas Mohammadi as a very polite, humble, and victimized young man who loved his twin nephews and bought them gifts and clothes with his wages. The identity of the murderer, who has not yet been disclosed, stated that he thought the victim intended to insult the 22 Bahman flags. Some journalists, lawyers, and social media users have called for the release of accurate information about the murdered janitor and criticized the lack of response regarding this issue, considering this crime a result of promoting the policy of supporting 'fire-at-will' forces. Journalist Zhila Baniyaghoub has requested further writings about the janitor at Niayesh Bridge and asked, 'Where is his family? Is his name really Elyas Mohammadi?' Lawyer Saeed Dehghan also wrote regarding the 'murder' of Elyas Mohammadi, the janitor at Niayesh Bridge: '1- Question for the government: If instead of Elyas, someone like Rouhollah Ajamian had been killed, how many citizens would you have hanged? 2- Question for the nation: If instead of the janitor at Niayesh Bridge, a famous figure had been murdered, what would you have done? Would you have remained a spectator or become an activist?' Hossein Shandizadeh, a former political prisoner, attributed this murder to 'a bunch of fire-at-will' individuals and wrote: 'Kids, remember his name. The janitor at Niayesh Bridge was Elyas Mohammadi. A hardworking man who was horrifically victimized by beasts. He was thrown off the bridge. And God knows what he was thinking while falling. Maybe about the question, 'What was my sin?' Nothing, Elyas. It was the savagery of a bunch of fire-at-will.' The Hamshahri newspaper, affiliated with the Tehran municipality, reported that this murder occurred while Elyas Mohammadi was 'cleaning the overpass route of Niayesh Highway' and after the murderer threw him off the Niayesh Bridge, the janitor died, and several cars also ran over his body. The response of the mayor of Tehran regarding the murder of a janitor: It is beyond our authority. The murder of a municipality worker by a defender of the Islamic Republic; the accused: I thought he intended to insult the flags. Narges Mohammadi: They sent Armita to death because of 'mandatory hijab.' The spread of violence or enjoining good? Three Tehran citizens were arrested.