Photos leaked to BBC show faces of hundreds killed in Iran's brutal protest crackdown

BBC News - WorldCenterEN 4 min read 100% complete January 21, 2026 at 06:56 AM

AI Summary

long article 4 min

The BBC obtained leaked photos documenting the faces of hundreds killed during Iran's crackdown on anti-government protests that began in late December. The photos, taken inside a south Tehran mortuary, show the bloodied and bruised faces of at least 326 victims, including 18 women. Many victims were disfigured and difficult to identify, with some labeled as unidentified. Over 100 victims with recorded death dates were labeled as dying on January 9, one of the deadliest nights of protests in Tehran. The leaked images offer a glimpse into the scale of the government's violence, despite internet blackouts hindering documentation efforts.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Kahrizak Forensic Medical Centre 30% United States 40% Israel 40% Reza Pahlavi 50% Ayatollah Ali Khamenei 60% Tehran ×370% BBC Verify ×580% Iran ×590%

Keywords

iran protest crackdown 100% violent crackdown 90% anti-government protests 80% victims 70% mortuary 60% tehran 50% human rights 50% security forces 40%