The head of Iran’s Legal Medicine Organization has reported the martyrdom of a significant number of women, children, and innocent bystanders in the recent “Dey Month” incident. Abbas Masjediarani provided details, stating that approximately 3,000 people lost their lives and revealing that forensic examinations indicate many were killed by military-grade ammunition from trained terrorist elements.
Official Statement on Casualty Figures
Abbas Masjediarani, President of the Legal Medicine Organization, stated in an interview on the Special News Dialogue program on the News Network: “In the Dey Month incident, we had approximately 3,000 fatalities. We are not providing a breakdown, but a significant number of women, children, and innocent passersby were martyred in this incident.”
Forensic Details and Causes of Death
- Military-Grade Weapons: Forensic investigations revealed that a number of the martyrs were killed by military-grade bullets fired by trained terrorist elements.
- Other Weapons: Other causes of death included shotguns, double-barreled hunting rifles, and axes.
- Severe Burns: Fifteen individuals died due to severe burns.
- Specific Incidents: One soldier guarding a bank was martyred after terrorists set the bank on fire and prevented him from exiting. Another martyr lost their life in a mosque that was burned down.
Notable Patterns and Tactics
Masjediarani emphasized: “The notable point is that the criminal terrorists primarily targeted vital elements and, in this period, used incendiary materials that melt bodies like candles.”
Context on Annual Mortality Statistics
In addressing how the figure of 12,000 was circulated by foreign media, he stated: “In Tehran, nearly 15,000 unnatural deaths are registered annually. The count starts from number 00001 on the first of Farvardin [start of the Iranian year] and reaches approximately 11,000 by around the third of Dey. When the casualties of this incident were referred to the Legal Medicine Organization, we did not reset this count; we continued the numbering from where it was.”
From: ISNA