iran video youtubeShe has been dubbed as the “voice of Iran” after a YouTube video of Neda quickly spread online. Allegedly a 16-year old girl participating the the Iranian election protests, Neda was apparently shot by paramilitary snipers. The video shows her lying on her back on a Tehran street with fellow protester (possibly relatives) frantically trying to save her. It is a graphic clip showing blood oozing from her chest wound. Later, blood started to come out of her nose and mouth as her condition worsened. A few seconds later, she is dead.

There is no information on the authenticity of the video, where and when it happened and who was injured by whom. The only information online right now are based on comments on the video from an anonymous individual who claimed that he was present when the amateur video was recorded:

At 19:05 June 20th Place: Karegar Ave., at the corner crossing Khosravi St. and Salehi st. A young woman who was standing aside with her father watching the protests was shot by a basij member hiding on the rooftop of a civilian house. He had clear shot at the girl and could not miss her. However, he aimed straight her heart. I am a doctor, so I rushed to try to save her. But the impact of the gunshot was so fierce that the bullet had blasted inside the victim’s chest, and she died in less than 2 minutes. The protests were going on about 1 kilometers away in the main street and some of the protesting crowd were running from tear gass used among them, towards Salehi St. The film is shot by my friend who was standing beside me. Please let the world know.

The girl’s alleged death was not reported by the Iranian media (obviously) but was reported by various international media organizations and agencies. I first saw it on CNN after it was shown several times yesterday. At first, Neda’s face was blurred but later broadcasts showed her tragic face in full – signs life slowly leaving her as blood continued to pour from her nose and mouth.

For many of us who have seen this video, her face will not be forgotten. And for the thousands of Iranians involved in the protest, her death has become a symbol of their struggle for justice and truth, and an inspiration to go on.

The video of Neda is too graphic to be posted here. However, you can find a copy at this YouTube page.

Update: Posted below is a video of Neda (now identified as Neda Agha Soltani) during the protest but before she was shot:

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