A Young, Energetic Woman who Sought Justice
Darya Nazmdeh was born on September 11, 1994, in Savojbolagh, a city in Alborz Province, Iran.
Darya Nazmdeh lived with her parents in Karaj, a large city just west of Tehran, known for its diverse population and bustling life. Darya was vibrant, full of energy, and had a joyful spirit that was cherished by everyone around her.
In 2022, after the tragic death of Mahsa Amini in police custody, protests erupted across Iran, as citizens demanded justice and change. Like many young Iranians, Darya joined the demonstrations, her voice rising against injustice.
On November 3, 2022, a massive protest was held on the Tehran-Karaj highway to mark the fortieth day since the death of Hadis Najafi, another young woman who had become a symbol of the movement. Tens of thousands gathered that day. But on the way back from the Behesht-e Sakineh cemetery, where mourners had gathered, security forces launched a brutal assault, using sound bombs and tear gas against the crowd. Many were injured, and even more were detained.
Darya Nazmdeh and her friends encountered a patrol vehicle from the notorious Sarallah unit, known for its role in cracking down on protests. While her friends managed to flee, Darya chose to stand her ground, confronting the officers. They responded with extreme violence, beating her severely with batons, striking her head and face repeatedly, before forcing her into their vehicle.
In custody, Darya Nazmdeh was subjected to merciless torture. The abuse was so extreme that she succumbed to her injuries and died under interrogation.
On the night of November 4, one of Darya’s friends, who had been with her until the end, informed her family that the Sarallah patrol had arrested her. Desperate to find her, Darya’s family searched police stations, prisons, and hospitals, but to no avail. After two agonizing weeks, they finally located her body in the morgue at the Behesht-e Sakineh cemetery.
The morgue official, under pressure from authorities, claimed Darya was “unidentified” and had “died in a car accident.” But her body told a different story: bruises and wounds covered her face and body, and her cheeks were marked with clear signs of blunt force. Her family identified her by a birthmark on her hand.
After discovering Darya’s body, her family faced intense pressure from security officials. They were forced to state on camera that their daughter had died in a car accident. Authorities threatened that if they refused, they too would “face Darya’s fate.”
Finally, on November 12, 2022, under heavy security, Darya Nazmdeh was laid to rest in the village of Ghaleh Shahr.
