On Sunday, October 22, 2023, several state-run Iranian news agencies reported that Geravand was likely “brain dead”. This was quickly countered by statements from the Norway-based Hengaw group and U.S. government-funded Radio Farda, which cited interviews with family members expressing hope for her recovery.
The mysterious circumstances began when Armita Geravand was allegedly attacked by Hijab Guards in Tehran’s metro subway on October 1, 2023, an incident reported by eyewitnesses and highlighted by The Guardian. Following the incident, a visibly injured Geravand was transported to the Air Force Fajr Hospital, which soon saw a significant increase in security personnel and agents.
Reports suggest that the Iranian regime may have been involved in manipulating the narrative surrounding Geravand’s condition. A doctored video of the metro CCTV was released, omitting critical footage from inside the subway carriage. Meanwhile, the regime’s official narrative dismissed claims of an altercation, suggesting instead that she fainted due to a sudden drop in blood pressure caused by skipping breakfast.
The regime’s handling of the situation has led to growing suspicions of an orchestrated cover-up. Reports emerged that the regime changed her room and replaced all medical staff after a picture was leaked from the hospital. Moreover, the interview that state agency IRNA conducted with Geravand’s parents raised eyebrows when an accompanying woman, initially thought to be a relative, was identified as a member of the IRGC Bassij.
On October 11, 2023, a state-run website reported a decline in Geravand’s vital signs, hinting at the likelihood of her being brain dead. This was followed by unverified reports suggesting that she had been disconnected from life-support machines and moved to the morgue on October 22.
International entities, including Amnesty International and the Iranian opposition President-elect Maryam Rajavi of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), have called for transparent investigations into the incident. Amnesty’s analysis of the released footage indicates tampering, adding to the speculation of a potential cover-up.
The Iranian regime, potentially wary of domestic unrest similar to previous protests sparked by the death of another young woman, Mahsa Amini, seems to be using contradicting reports as a strategy to diffuse public outrage.
With global attention now focused on Armita Geravand’s situation, calls for an independent inquiry led by the UN Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women have intensified. The world now waits, watching closely for transparency and justice in Geravand’s case.
MEK Iran (follow us on Twitter and Facebook), Maryam Rajavi’s on her site, Twitter & Facebook, NCRI (Twitter & Facebook), and People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran – MEK IRAN – YouTu
