STRORIES OF COURAGE
Sima Moradbaigi
Sima Moradbeigi, from the Kurdish city of Bukan, joined the protests soon after the death of Mahsa (Jina) Amini. On October 21, 2022, as security forces opened fire on demonstrators, Sima was shot at close range through a hospital gate, shattering her arm. Despite severe injuries and being denied proper medical care in local hospitals, she survived after a long struggle and emergency treatment in Urmia. Facing ongoing threats from the regime, Sima, her husband, and their young daughter fled Iran with the help of facilitators. After months of hardship in Iraq, they were finally granted refuge in Germany through the help of humanitarian supporters.
Zaniar Tondro
Zaniar Tondro, only 17 years old, was gravely injured during protests in Piranshahr, sustaining over 40 shotgun wounds. Eleven pellets struck his head and face, blinding him in one eye and severely impairing the other. Ongoing threats forced Zaniar and his family to flee Iran, enduring danger and detention as they sought safety across borders. Today, they have finally found refuge in Germany, where Zaniar is receiving the medical care he urgently needs.
Mercedes Shahinkar
Mersedeh Shahinkar stood at the forefront of the protests that followed the death of Mahsa (Jina) Amini, facing tear gas and constant pursuit by regime forces. One night, during a demonstration as Evin Prison burned, she was struck in the eye by gunfire, sustaining severe injuries that required multiple surgeries. Despite her pain, Mersedeh courageously shared her story online, drawing international attention to the regime’s brutality. After security forces raided her home, she fled Iran with her young daughter and eventually found refuge in Germany. Mersedeh and her daughter are currently residing in the United States.
Asal Jazideh
Asal Jazideh joined the protests on October 1, 2022, following the death of Mahsa (Jina) Amini. Amid the chaos, she was struck by a projectile fired by anti-riot forces, leaving her severely injured. The blast destroyed her left eye and damaged the right, resulting in lasting loss of vision. Asal and her mother soon faced escalating threats from security forces, forcing them to flee Iran in search of safety. Today, they are rebuilding their lives in Germany, where Asal continues her journey of healing and recovery.
Hasti Hossein Panahi
Hasti Hossein Panahi, a student in Iran, posted a handwritten “Woman, Life, Freedom” flyer on a car on November 7, 2022. Surveillance cameras recorded her action, leading intelligence officers—together with her school principal—to summon and interrogate her two days later. What occurred in that interrogation remains unknown.
After interrogation, classmates saw Hasti fleeing in distress to her school bus, disheveled and shaking. Security forces tried to pull her off the bus, but she resisted. Terrified that she and her family would be arrested, she panicked and jumped from the moving bus, suffering severe injuries that left her in a six-month coma. Throughout her recovery, she and her family were threatened and denied adequate medical care, forcing them to flee Iran.
After escaping, Hasti and her family relocated to Germany. Hasti is now receiving the medical treatment she needs in safety.
Farzad Moradinia
On October 8, 2022, in Sanandaj, Iran, Farzad Moradinia was severely injured when a tear gas canister struck him directly in the face, shattering multiple facial bones and costing him his left eye. As his case gained public attention, the Iranian secret service intensified attempts to arrest him.
Unable to seek treatment in Tehran without risking capture, Farzad fled Iran despite life-threatening pain and infection.
Now in Germany, Farzad can finally receive the essential medical care he needs and begin rebuilding his life free from the threat of arrest.
Ako Maroufi-Azar
Ako Maroufi-Azar, a 28-year-old resident of Sardasht, was severely injured on September 21, 2022, during the third day of the Jin, Jiyan, Azadi uprising. While actively participating in the protests, he was shot at close range by security forces stationed at the Briso checkpoint, receiving 13 buckshot pellets to his head, chest, arm, and right eye. He was initially treated in secret and later transferred to Tabriz’s Nikukari Hospital, where doctors managed to remove some of the pellets. However, four pellets remained, including two lodged in the back of his right eye, creating a high risk of permanent vision loss. He underwent three eye surgeries, and silicone was placed behind the eye to protect the retina until further surgery could be performed.
During his hospitalization, government forces attempted to coerce injured protesters—including Maroufi-Azar—into giving false televised statements blaming “ISIS” for their injuries, which he refused. After being identified by security agencies, he faced repeated summonses, surveillance, and a travel ban. As pressure intensified, he was forced into hiding for a year in Urmia and nearby villages before eventually fleeing Iran.