Mateen Naderkhani, a 19-year-old soccer player, was arrested by security forces during the nationwide protests in September 2022. After approximately two months in detention, he was released upon pledging not to participate in further protests. According to a source close to Mateen’s family, he left home on the evening of May 16, 2023. Subsequent calls from his parents to his mobile phone went unanswered. Early the following morning, the family was informed that Mateen had been arrested with a pistol. They were instructed to go to the police department in Arg Square, Tehran, and then to court with him.
When Mateen’s parents arrived at the police department, they were initially given no information and were eventually directed to Behesht Zahra morgue to identify their son’s body. The death certificate stated that Mateen Naderkhani died from “cerebral hemorrhage and crushing of brain tissue” caused by “two bullets to the head.” The source close to the family indicated that the bullets were fired at close range. Despite the family’s efforts, they have received no response from authorities regarding Mateen’s death and have been repeatedly threatened. They were told to declare the cause of his death as a “car accident.”
@iranhrdc
#mateen_naderkhani
When Mateen’s parents arrived at the police department, they were initially given no information and were eventually directed to Behesht Zahra morgue to identify their son’s body. The death certificate stated that Mateen Naderkhani died from “cerebral hemorrhage and crushing of brain tissue” caused by “two bullets to the head.” The source close to the family indicated that the bullets were fired at close range. Despite the family’s efforts, they have received no response from authorities regarding Mateen’s death and have been repeatedly threatened. They were told to declare the cause of his death as a “car accident.”
@iranhrdc
#mateen_naderkhani