The family of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish woman whose death in police custody three weeks ago sparked protests across Iran, says they have received death threats and have been warned not to participate in the demonstrations.
After being arrested by morality police for improperly wearing her hijab, Mahsa became a symbol of Iranian repression. Her face and story are now well-known all over the world.
“Our family has been under immense pressure from Islamic Republic officials, so we don’t talk to human rights organizations or channels outside of Iran and inform anyone from the outside world about her passing,” her cousin Erfan Mortezai said.
Erfan is a Peshmerga fighter for Komala, an Iraq-based exiled Iranian Kurdish opposition party. He has been trying to bring down the Islamic Republic for years, long before Mahsa’s death.
The Iranian government has blamed the recent unrest on such external factors.
Erfan insists, “Zhina was a normal person, she was not political.”
“The regime has made up scenarios and disinformation, claiming that Zhina was in contact with me and that I taught her and sent her back to Iran to do a certain activity, which is completely false.” the Cousin stated.
He claims that the threats he and his family members have received have made them fear for their safety.
Erfan shared previously unseen videos of a heartbreaking contrast with the BBC.
The first image shows Mahsa dancing at a wedding, waving colorful shawls and shyly looking up at the camera.
The second image depicts her family gathered at a cemetery to commemorate what would have been her 23rd birthday. A cake with her face on it has been carefully placed on her grave. There is a lot of yelling and crying.
