IRAN HIJAB PROTESTS: Family Of Young Woman Shot After She Rejected Hijab Threatend By IRGC

The family of this young Iranian woman who loved climbing and visiting the countryside have complained about being harassed after she was shot dead by security forces while attending a protest over the death of Mahsa Amini.

Ghazaleh Chelavi poses in an undated photo. She was allegedly killed by a direct shot to her forehead by army agents in Amol, Iran. (Newsflash)

The family of 33-year-old Ghazaleh Chelavi confirmed that she was killed in Amol, a city in Iran’s Mazandaran Province, and said that since then, they have been under the spotlight of IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) officials.

She had apparently been shot in the forehead by a single bullet and was still alive when she was taken to hospital.

Her family were told that if they made a fuss about the killing, her body would not be handed over and their other relatives would be punished.

Ghazaleh Chelavi poses in an undated photo. She was allegedly killed by a direct shot to her forehead by army agents in Amol, Iran. (Newsflash)

Medics said she had been hit on the left side of the forehead and remained alive for 30 hours before doctors announced that there was no hope. She died five days later.

Her last words – recorded on her mobile phone shortly before she was shot – were: “Do not be afraid, do not be afraid.”

However, her tragic death allowed Ghazaleh’s family to agree to donate her organs after it was revealed that she had an organ donor card.

Ghazaleh Chelavi poses in an undated photo. She was allegedly killed by a direct shot to her forehead by army agents in Amol, Iran. (Newsflash)

Her body was later transferred from Amol to Tehran where eight people were waiting to receive organs from her.

Ghazaleh’s aunt said that her niece had always kept her distance from the opposition movement but it had been drawn in after the death of Mahsa.

On the night when she was shot, there had been a fire at a government building in Amol, which had drawn a crowd and then a violent reaction from authorities.

Ghazaleh’s aunt told local media: “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.

Ghazaleh Chelavi poses in an undated photo. She was allegedly killed by a direct shot to her forehead by army agents in Amol, Iran. (Newsflash)

“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.”

It was reported that in the last week of her life she had found freedom and had posted photographs of the protests and of herself on the streets while not wearing a headscarf.

A friend of the family said: “She encouraged everyone not to be silent. She had become fearless, more than ever in her life.”

Ghazaleh Chelavi poses in an undated photo. She was allegedly killed by a direct shot to her forehead by army agents in Amol, Iran. (Newsflash)

Mahsa Amini died after being arrested by Iranian morality police and allegedly beaten while in custody.
She died a few days later from swelling to the brain according to medical reports leaked from the hospital.

The ongoing protests have so far claimed the lives of at least 336 people and injured at least 1,160, according to independent estimates.

It is understood that over 12,500 people have so far been arrested.