Iran protests: Pregnant mother of 2, a mountaineer and an activist among women killed in deadly crackdown
A pregnant woman has been identified as one of the six killed during an anti-government protest in Iran. Norwegian-based Hengaw Organization for Human Rights said that Sholeh Sotoudeh, of Langarud, was killed by live ammunition in the Gilan Province on January 10. This brings the total number of women to have lost their lives to 26 in the deadly demonstrations in Iran. Thousands have been killed in the protests that have marred the country for nearly a month. People are calling for an end to the current regime for inflation, economic crisis and corruption. Local activist Ziba Dastjerdi also died after she was allegedly shot in front of her daughter during a protest in Nishapur. According to Hengaw, she was earlier sentenced to 18 months in prison in 2022 for her civil activities and was slapped with an additional one-year prison sentence. Sotoudeh was pregnant with her third child and was protesting in the city of Chaf when the forces opened fire.Another woman who was a mother to three kids was killed while protesting against the regime. Zahra Bagheri was struck in the head by gunfire on January 8, according to the human rights group. A well-known female mountaineer was also among those killed. Sara Behboodi, 45, died from live ammunition fire on protesters. She had climbed major peaks like Mount Kamal (3,700 meters) in East Azerbaijan Province and Mount Shah Moallem (3,050 meters) in Gilan Province. Music instructor Sanam Pourbabayi and Aida Aghili, 34, of Tehran, also lost their lives in the protests. Iran is under an internet blockade, and no information is being released on the current situation in the country. Several human rights groups are working to present a picture of what is transpiring in the country.Add WION as a Preferred SourceLatest death toll in IranTrending StoriesHow powerful is the USS Gerald R. Ford? 7 facts about the world’s largest aircraft carrierFrom superpowers to supercarriers: The 5 most powerful warships at sea in 2026Creature that has chomped down on its DNA by half is evolving in reverseTrump invites PM Modi to be part of Gaza 'Board of Peace''Beginning of the end of world': Russia warns of nukes, says third World War will take place in Arctic‘Snow apocalypse’: Record snowfall buries buildings, towns in Russia’s Kamchatka – WATCHWatch: Indian Army holds rare promotion event aboard running trainIran‑Venezuela drone network: How Caracas built indigenous UAVs on Iranian designsMeet 5 batters fastest to 20,000 international runsMeet 5 batters with most Test runs in January 2026UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to visit India on Monday‘Prostitution and hush money’: What happens behind the closed doors of Davos World Economic Forum‘Make America Go Away’: Thousands protest on streets of Greenland, Denmark over Trump’s threats – SEE PICSHow Venezuela and Houthis became key recipients of Iran’s arms exportsThe official death toll in Iran is said to stand at 3,090, as verified by the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency. However, the Sunday Times reported that data from eight major hospitals and 16 emergency departments suggest that the number of those killed is between 16,500 and 18,000, as per Iranian doctors. Most of those killed are under the age of 30, with 330,000 people injured. Much of the killing happened over a two-day period, according to the report. Professor Amir Parasta, an Iranian-German eye surgeon, told the Times, "This is a whole new level of brutality. This time they are using military-grade weapons, and what we are seeing are gunshot and shrapnel wounds in the head, neck and chest.” The doctors relied on the banned Starlink internet to compile and release the figures as the internet shutdown continues in Iran.
