TikToker Hadis Najafi killed in Iran protests

Social media influencer Hadis Najafi has been shot dead during protests in Iran.

Protests have been taking place across Iran after 22-year-old Mahsa Amini passed away on 16 September. Amini was taken into custody by the Iranian government three days before for allegedly not wearing her hijab (headscarf) correctly.

Amini is said to have died of a heart attack, however, she had no history of heart disease according to her uncle and eyewitnesses claimed the 22-year-old was beaten while inside a police van.

Amid the unrest which has since been sparked across the country, many Iranian women have been taking to the streets to burn their headscarves in protest.

TikToker Hadis Najafi was one of these women and went out in Karaj last week to protest. However, she was later shot dead.

On her way to protest against Iran's strict mandate on hijab-wearing, Najafi sent a video to friends where she spoke out about her hopes for everything 'changing' in the future.

She was shot dead less than an hour later.

One of the TikToker's friends - who does not wish to be named due to safety concerns - told Sky News Najafi was 'shot many times by the Iranian police'.

AT LEAST 50 DEAD FROM ANTI-HIJAB PROTESTS IN IRAN

ELDERLY WOMAN REMOVES HIJAB IN IRANIAN PROTEST

Her friend believes Najafi was shot 'because of her hijab and defending the hijab and women's right to freedom in veiling'.

Najafi's friend also alleged authorities 'didn't let her family see her'.

"Several nurses [...] told her family to run, because Hadis had been at the protests so they might also be targeted if the police came," she said.

"The husband of one of Hadis' sisters works for the Basij [an Iranian paramilitary volunteer militia], so they let him go into the mortuary to do the formal identification. Only him."

This brave woman who tied her hair in public, was shot dead with six bullets. As per Irani moral police she broke the Islamic rule in which women can't show her hair in public. Her name was Hadis Najafi. As per her sister Hadis was only 20 Years old. #HadisNajafi #MahsaAmini pic.twitter.com/yzs6ao76Yf

— Radharamn Das राधारमण दास (@RadharamnDas) September 26, 2022

According to Najafi's friend, the TikToker's 'crying mother and sisters' were allowed to see her face on Friday morning, but only to 'make sure they were burying the right person'.

Najafi's mother stated: "My daughter was killed because of the hijab, because of Mahsa Amini.

"She went to protest and was killed, hit by bullets, in her heart, in her stomach, in her neck. When we looked at her body, her face and body were bruised," Najafi's mother said via the TikToker's sister's Instagram.

Najafi's mother also claimed authorities 'shouted slurs' at them, and 'refused to tell [them] where to find her body' or 'give [them] her body'.

Hadis Najafi was mistaken as the woman in the iconic protest hair tying video. She retook the video and sent to @bbcpersian: “I am not Hadis BUT I am battling for the Hadis and Mahsa’s. Do not scare us with death. For a free Iran.” #مهسا_امینی #حدیث_نجفی pic.twitter.com/e0M3O40qq1

— mahsa alimardani 🌒 مثلا (@maasalan) September 26, 2022

Najafi wasn't allowed a public - or 'real' as her friend put it - funeral because of an agreement between the authorities and her family.

Her friend said: "After she was buried, her sisters Afsoon and Shirin decided to publish her photos and tell people she was shot.

"The authorities didn't want people to say she was shot, they were told to say she'd died in a car crash, or a brain injury, that she'd died a natural death."

This is the funeral of 20 year old #HadisNajafi, who was shot dead on the streets by security forces for protesting yhe murder of #MahsaAmini by Hijab Police.
Hadis was a kind hearted girl and loved dancing. pic.twitter.com/tduxVe1SZf

— Masih Alinejad 🏳️ (@AlinejadMasih) September 25, 2022

Despite the accusations against Iranian authorities, Ebrahim Raisi, the president of the Middle Eastern country, has said an investigation will take place into the TikToker's death.

However, the Iranian president warned that action will be taken against anyone who threatens the country's public security.

Najafi is one of an alleged four women who have died during the protests in Iran.

The TikToker's friend concluded: "I and her family and friends would like everyone to hear the name of Hadis and know that my friend went bravely and became a martyr."

If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact Cruse Bereavement Care via their national helpline on 0808 808 1677