Warning: this story contains graphic content which some readers might find distressing.
Hundreds of photos revealing the faces of those killed during Iran's violent crackdown on anti-government protests have been leaked to BBC Verify.
The pictures, which are too graphic to show without blurring, reveal the bloodied and bruised faces of at least 326 victims - including 18 women. These haunting images, displayed in a Tehran mortuary, provide one of the few ways families have been able to identify their loved ones.
Many victims were disfigured, with numerous individuals labeled as John or Jane Doe. Labels on over 100 victims indicate their time of death was on January 9, a particularly deadly night for protesters in Tehran.
Protests erupted across the city demanding justice, ignited by a call from Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of the late shah.
The leaked photos only hint at the thousands believed to have perished at the hands of the Iranian authorities. It highlights the tragic loss of life amid the protests against the regime.
Nearly the entire nation is currently shadowed by an internet blackout, making it difficult to fully document the true scale of violence perpetrated against dissenters. Still, BBC Verify has worked tirelessly, tracking incidents across various Iranian cities and towns.
The situation in Iran remains dire, with estimates surpassing 4,000 lives lost according to advocate organizations. With global eyes now focused on Iran, the call for compassion and action grows stronger to support the victims and their families.
