Mother of Teen Killed in Nationwide Protests Rejects Blood Money Offer: Judge Must Identify and Punish the Killer

The mother of Abolfazl Amirataei, whose son was killed during the nationwide protests in 2022, states that although her son was killed 'by government forces,' the judge in the case is not issuing orders to identify the killer. In an Instagram post, she declared that she is not willing to accept blood money and is seeking justice for her son's death. She demands that the judge from 'Branch 105' find and punish her son's killer, claiming that the judge is unresponsive due to reasons 'entirely stemming from corruption and injustice.' She also described the 'judicial organs of the Islamic Republic' as 'ownerless,' asserting that her son was shot at close range by government forces. The prosecutor of Shahr-e-Rey stated that Abolfazl Amirataei, a 16-year-old who was reportedly hit by a tear gas canister during protests on September 21, 2022, was riding his motorcycle to buy something when he was struck by a 'hard object' from behind. Government forces used tear gas canisters to suppress protests following the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody. The Tasnim news agency, affiliated with the Revolutionary Guards, previously claimed that the injury was not sustained during the protests and that the family did not make such a claim, despite the mother confirming that her son was shot. Abolfazl Amirataei died in June 2023 after being in a coma for months after being shot by security forces at close range in Shahr-e-Rey. Since Mahsa Amini's death, government officials have made significant efforts to alter narratives and pressure the families of victims, but have largely failed, including attempts to align Mahsa Amini's family with the narrative that she had 'underlying health issues.'