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Iranian forces targeting women protesters with shotgun fire to faces, breasts and genitals, say medics

Protests have spread across Iran since Mahsa Amini's death in custody in September 2022

TEHRAN, IRAN: In a shocking report, medical experts have revealed that Iranian forces are targeting the faces, breasts, and genitals of female protesters. The goal of this action is to 'destroy their beauty," the medical experts said. "I treated a woman in her early 20s who was hit by two pellets in her genitals. Ten other pellets were lodged in her inner thigh. Those 10 pellets were easily removed, but those two pellets were a challenge because they were lodged between her urethra and her vaginal opening," said a doctor from the Isfahan center, who declined to reveal her name.

“There was a serious risk of vaginal infection, so I asked her to go to a trusted gynecologist. She said she was protesting when a group of about 10 security agents circled around and shot her in her genitals and thighs.” The physician who is traumatized by witnessing recent atrocities carried out by forces on civilians added, “She could have been my own daughter.” There’s a widespread accusation against security forces that they are deliberately ignoring riot control practices, like firing weapons at feet and legs to avoid hurting vital organs. “Shoot at the faces and private body parts of women because they have an inferiority complex. And they want to get rid of their sexual complexes by hurting these young people,” alleges a doctor from Karaj, a city near Tehran.

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Another Mazandaran doctor said that many women seek treatment at home because they are embarrassed to go to the medical center. “The women are so ashamed to go to the hospital that many are treated at home and that’s very dangerous.” The doctor revealed that she was removing pellets with the lights off to avoid detection, where these pellets are both in metal and sometimes plastic.

While protesting outside the medical council of Iran on October 26, security forces shot with pellet hundreds of medical professionals. A surgeon shared that he treated his colleagues, who were shot from a close range in their backs and legs as they ran away. One of the injured people I treated wasn’t even protesting. He was a bystander … and thought he wouldn’t be shot at. They’re shooting blindly at everyone who’s not one of them.”

“With the use of birdshot, which is designed for hunting and has no place in any legitimate or lawful use of force by police,” commented Brian Castner, a senior advisor on arms and military operations at Amnesty International, citing the photographs obtained by the Guardian.

Mahsa Amini, 22, allegedly died in police custody when she was arrested by Iranian moral police for inappropriate dressing.