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Killing of Neda Agha-Soltan

Neda Agha-Soltan (Persian: ندا آقاسلطان – Nedā Āghā-Soltān; 23 January 1983 – 20 June 2009) was an Iranian student of philosophy, who was participating in the 2009 presidential election protests with her music teacher, and was walking back to her car when she was fatally shot in the upper chest.

Neda Agha-Soltan

23 January 1983

20 June 2009 (aged 26)[1]

Iranian

Islamic Āzād University (second semester of Theology)[3][4]

Family's travel agency[5]

Known as generally apolitical

Eyewitnesses are reported by Western sources as saying Agha-Soltan was shot by a militiaman belonging to Basij paramilitary organization.[6][7][8] Her death was captured on video by bystanders and broadcast over the Internet, and the video became a rallying point for the opposition. Agha-Soltan's death sparked renewed protests against the disputed election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.[9]

Etymology[edit]

Nedā (ندا) is a word used in classical Persian and modern Persian[10] to mean "voice", "calling" (sometimes understood as a "divine message", but this is not the etymological sense of ندا), and she has been referred to as the "voice of Iran".[11][12][13]

Alleged killer[edit]

The man accused by opposition sources of killing Agha-Soltan was identified as Abbas Kargar Javid, a Basij government militiaman, after photographs of the Basiji's ID cards appeared on the internet, according to The Times.[48] Opposition critics and pro-government sources allege that Western intelligence agencies carried out the shooting.[49][50][43]

 – a series of murders of dissident voices made to appear as accidents and suicides

Chain murders of Iran

Sohrab Aarabi

Taraneh Mousavi

Death of Khaled Mohamed Saeed

Death of Hamza Ali Al-Khateeb

Killing of Mahsa Amini

; HBO Documentary Films – About Neda Agha-Soltan and her life story

For Neda (2010)

on YouTube

Documentary investigating the death of Neda Agha-Soltan, with pictures and witness accounts

Video of her death wins prestigious 2009 George Polk Award for Videography

; The Guardian, 15 November 2009

Caspian Makan: 'I cannot believe it yet. I still think I will see Neda again'

 – a photo essay by TIME

Photos: Who Was Neda Agha-Soltan?

; Damien McElroy, The Telegraph, 22 June 2009

Iran Bans Prayers for 'Angel of Freedom' Neda Agha Soltan

; Borzou Daragahi, Los Angeles Times, 23 June 2009

Family, Friends Mourn 'Neda'

Neda, an Opera by Nader Mashayekhi: Pathos without Kitsch