The Hana Organization for Human Rights is conducting a special, multifaceted investigation into the case of Niloufar Mojaver, a 28 year old woman who, according to preliminary information, was transferred to a medical center in critical condition after enduring severe physical violence and abusive treatment in an area of Piranshahr, and was subsequently declared brain dead.
According to information that has reached Hana thus far from local sources, those close to her, and published reports, Niloufar had, some time ago, become acquainted with a man who apparently entered into a relationship with her under the promise of marriage. According to some accounts, this relationship developed without her family’s knowledge, and Niloufar had, at one point, intended to return to her family.
Existing accounts indicate that she had sustained severe physical injuries prior to her transfer to the hospital. Allegations have also been raised concerning deprivation of liberty, prevention from leaving, the binding of her hands and feet, severe physical abuse, and possible sexual assault. Hana emphasizes that this portion of the information remains under review, and that the official forensic findings and the complete judicial investigation into the nature and origin of all the injuries have not yet been made public.
Some local sources have also alleged that the man connected to this case has a prior history of severe violent conduct against women, and allegations have been raised concerning sexual abuse, mistreatment, and even his possible connection to previous killings. Hana is not, at this stage, in a position to independently confirm all of these allegations, and refrains from definitively attributing any prior offense to the individual in question until the review of documents, judicial records, and independent testimony has been completed.
Nevertheless, the nature of the allegations raised regarding this individual’s history is serious enough that its examination cannot be pushed to the margins of the investigation. Should it be established that the suspect had previously committed violence against women, or that his history was known to law enforcement and judicial institutions, the dimensions of this case will extend beyond the direct criminal responsibility of the perpetrator, and will also raise the necessity of examining the performance of the institutions responsible for preventing the recurrence of such violence.
Hana is cross checking witness accounts, information from the family, the suspect’s possible prior record, medical data, and the course of police and judicial action, and will refrain, until such information is independently established, from publishing details that might compromise the investigation or the rights of the individuals involved.
The Hana Organization for Human Rights requests that anyone with direct knowledge concerning how Niloufar came to know this individual, her place of confinement, her condition in the days prior to her transfer to the hospital, this individual’s possible history of violence against women, prior complaints or cases, or any information related to this incident, provide their information and documentation to Hana as soon as possible and in confidence.
While observing the principle of source confidentiality and the necessity of protecting victims and informants, Hana will continue its investigation into this case and, once verification has been completed, will publish a detailed report and legal analysis of it.
