Tehran's municipality installed billboards featuring Pinocchio alongside individuals with bandaged eyes, attributing lies to protesters who have lost their eyesight due to gunfire from the Islamic Republic's forces. One of the victims, Niloufar Aghaei, who lost an eye from a shot fired by the Islamic Republic's forces, responded to this action in a video message, stating: "It has been a little over a month since I lost my eye, but my busy schedule did not allow me to reveal this lie; I was careful not to show my new eye, but I don't know why it makes noise." She emphasized, "Of course, there is no good in liars! We have made this a reminder, but forgive me, I forgot to inform you that I have lost an eye!" Aghaei is a senior midwifery expert who lost her eye during a protest on November 4, 2022, against the death of Mahsa Amini while in police custody. The attribution of 'lying' to the victims of the nationwide protests by Tehran's municipality comes at a time when President Ebrahim Raisi claimed to form a special committee to 'compensate citizens' who suffered 'material or moral damages' during the protests. Eye doctors from three hospitals have estimated that over 500 patients with severe eye injuries were admitted during the nationwide protests from September 26 to the end of November, while doctors in Kurdistan reported at least 80 individuals with eye injuries. Some of these victims have drawn public attention by sharing their photos. Additionally, Elham Tokalian, another protester who lost an eye from gunfire, previously stated that 'silence in the face of blood unjustly shed' is treason, and she is 'alive to depict these events and show this treason.'
Niloufar Aghaei's Reaction to Being Called a 'Liar' by Protesters on Tehran's Billboards
Tehran's municipality has installed controversial billboards accusing protesters who lost their eyesight from government gunfire of being liars, prompting a strong reaction from Niloufar Aghaei, a victim herself. This incident highlights the ongoing tensions between the government and protesters in Iran, particularly in the context of recent protests against police brutality. The situation underscores the government's attempts to discredit dissent while victims seek justice and recognition.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
Tehran's municipality put up billboards accusing protesters who lost their eyesight from government gunfire of lying. Niloufar Aghaei, a victim, publicly refuted these accusations in a video message.
- The billboards feature Pinocchio and injured protesters, implying dishonesty.
- Over 500 severe eye injuries were reported during the protests.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
The protests began in response to the death of Mahsa Amini, a young woman who died in police custody, sparking nationwide demonstrations against government repression.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%