LONDON: The family of an Iranian woman who was shot and killed during a protest have been threatened by security forces and told to remain silent over her death, The Guardian reported.
The parents of 33-year-old Ghazaleh Chalabi were warned that if they “made a noise” over the killing, authorities would withhold their daughter’s body and take action against other relatives.
Chalabi was shot in the head while filming during a protest in Amol in northern Iran on Sept. 27. She spent five days in a coma before dying.
Her last words, captured on her mobile phone as authorities opened fire on the crowds, were: “Do not be afraid, do not be afraid.”
The killing took place as university students staged strikes in support of nationwide protests, which have resulted in more than 250 deaths.
Chalabi’s aunt told the media that her niece had been reluctant to get involved in the movement until the high-profile death of Mahsa Amini.
On the night of Chalabi’s death, a fire broke out at a government building in Amol, drawing crowds and a violent reaction from authorities.
Chalabi’s aunt said: “Only a few minutes had passed since the fire began when the first aerial shots were fired. Then they (security forces) started to shoot directly at people.
“Some witnesses told us that she was shot from the roof of the governor’s building. A bullet hit Ghazaleh’s forehead and she immediately fell to the ground. Many people witnessed the moment when Ghazaleh was shot.”
On Thursday, Chalabi’s family will lead a 40-day commemoration — an important Islamic ritual — to celebrate her life.
Her brother said: “Even after 40 years have passed I won’t be able to believe that you’ve gone.”
A friend of the family said: “During the last week of her life, she kept sending photos from the protests on the streets to her friends and family. She was sending pictures of herself while no longer wearing a headscarf.
“She encouraged everyone not to be silent. She had become fearless, more than ever in her life.”
Family of Iranian woman shot dead in protest threatened by authorities
https://arab.news/4nsnv
Family of Iranian woman shot dead in protest threatened by authorities
Iranian attacks wound 16 Qatari citizens: Interior Ministry
The latest round of Iran’s retaliatory attacks had injured 16 Qatari citizens by early Sunday, as the country intercepted more than 60 missiles and over ten drones launched from Iran, according to official data.
From Saturday night to Sunday morning, multiple explosions were heard southwest of the capital city of Doha as Qatar’s air defense systems repeatedly activated to intercept incoming Iranian missiles.
According to data released by Qatar’s Ministry of Defense, since the attacks began on Saturday, Qatar has been targeted by 65 missiles and 12 drones.
Among these, 63 missiles and 11 drones were successfully intercepted before reaching their intended targets while two missiles struck the US military’s Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar and one drone hit an early warning radar facility in the country.
Qatar’s Interior Ministry announced on Sunday that the attacks had wounded 16 of its citizens, all due to scattered missile debris, with limited property damage in some areas.
The ministry urged citizens to remain indoors whenever possible, avoid non-essential outings, and steer clear of any unidentified objects.
Despite Sunday being the first working day of the week in Qatar, a noticeable decrease in vehicles and pedestrians was observed on the streets.
Following the Saturday attack, Qatar closed its airspace and territorial waters, suspended all public events and gatherings, and shifted all schools to remote learning.
Except for military, security, and healthcare systems, most government agencies implemented remote work arrangements.
Qatar’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry also advised the private sector to adopt remote work practices where possible.
Meanwhile, the Qatari government continues to send signals of stability.
The Ministry of Defense said it possesses full capabilities to protect national security, with the current security situation remaining stable and under control.
The Interior Ministry announced that security and civil defense forces have entered a state of full emergency readiness, capable of responding to any emergency.
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry stressed that domestic supplies of daily necessities are enough to meet public demand.
