Fardis, Karaj – A Killing Field for Protesters
The events that unfolded in Fardis, Karaj, during the nationwide uprising of January 2026, transcend mere street-level suppression; they constitute a clear instance of “Crimes Against Humanity” and a systematic violation of the right to life. Documented reports and harrowing eyewitness testimonies from the city reveal an “organized massacre” in which state forces, in flagrant violation of international conventions, utilized military-grade weaponry against civilians. By administering “finishing shots” (coups de grâce) to the wounded and abducting the bodies of the deceased, they have committed atrocities that shock the conscience of humanity. This report serves as evidence of a city’s transformation into a war zone and the authorities’ concerted effort to “sanitize” the crime scene through telecommunication blackouts and the intimidation of survivors.
Fardis: A City Transformed into a Battlefield
According to testimonies, the scale of repression was so vast that the authorities imposed a total blackout on the free flow of information to conceal it. According to an eyewitness, after the massacre began in Fardis, the internet was extensively shut down to stifle the voices of the people and hide the true dimensions of the crackdown. The witness adds:
“I simply cannot fully describe what happened. It is unbelievable. Fardis had turned into a battlefield… during the days of the uprising, Fardis was like doomsday due to the massive presence of people and the intensity of the clashes. The streets were bloodbaths. It was a full-scale war between the people and Khamenei’s forces.”
Combat Formation of Repressive Forces
On the nights of January 8 and 9, repressive forces were deployed with heavy equipment.
Eyewitness Account: “Fardis was extremely crowded. Suppression units were constantly taking combat formations in the back boulevards. People, with empty hands, were only prying cement blocks from the ground, breaking them, and throwing them toward the mercenaries… [The mercenaries] used machine guns and military weapons against people who were entirely unarmed.”
Atrocities at the Third Circle: From Machine-Gun Fire to the Coup de Grâce
This section provides a detailed account of the moment of attack, the witness seeking cover, and the observation of street-level executions.
- Sudden Attack and Machine-Gun Fire:
The witness describes the moment the slaughter began:
“On Friday, January 9, in an instant, officers charged toward the crowd. There was a massive number of people at Fardis’s Third Circle. The mercenaries attacked and began firing machine guns.”
He continues:
“I was near a wall close to a basement. I quickly threw myself into the basement and remained safe from the bullets. But the sound of gunfire and screaming would not stop.”
- Observation of the Coup de Grâce (Massacre of the Wounded):
The witness, watching the scene from a small basement window, states:
“I was watching from a specific angle. I saw many people, about 60 individuals who had been shot, lying on the ground. I saw with my own eyes something I had only ever seen in movies. Believe me, the wounded were lying on the ground, and the officers administered finishing shots (coups de grâce) to them right there.”
He adds:
“There were all kinds of people among the wounded—from the elderly and youth to very young children. It was agonizing. Afterward, they gathered the lifeless bodies and took them away. I personally saw numerous people who had been given finishing shots.”
- Clearing the Streets of Corpses:
According to the witness, the massacre lasted from 8:00 PM on January 9 until approximately 9:30 PM, with cat-and-mouse skirmishes continuing until midnight. He states: “I was able to leave the area at 3:30 AM. Once I was certain no one was left and they had collected and taken the bodies, I moved away from the Fardis region.”
The Siah-Noush Neighborhood Massacre (Direct Fire)
Eyewitness Account: “On January 8 in Fardis (Siah-Noush neighborhood), repressive forces committed a horrific crime by firing directly at the people. In one instance, at least 10 young people were martyred or wounded, and their bodies lay scattered on the ground.”
Kahrizak and the Extortion of Families
The tragedy continued after the killings through the “hostage-taking” of corpses and the extortion of families at the morgues.
Eyewitness Account (Conditions at Kahrizak): “In Kahrizak, one could hardly step on the ground. Everywhere was covered in blood, and the stench of blood permeated the entire Kahrizak area. It was clear that some of the bodies had families, but no one was there to claim them.”
Eyewitness Account (Extortion): “The family of one of the victims searched for a trace of him for three full days until they were finally told he was in Kahrizak. Because they could not afford the ‘bullet money’ (pool-e tir) required to retrieve the body, they were forced to sign documents accepting their brother’s [fraudulent] membership in the Basij.”
Legal Analysis (Violation of the UDHR and the Rome Statute)
The events in Fardis constitute a flagrant and gross violation of fundamental human rights:
- Article 3 (Right to Life): The slaughter of unarmed protesters.
- Article 5 (Prohibition of Torture): Administering finishing shots to the wounded and the inhumane treatment of corpses.
- Article 12 (Privacy): Coercing families and interfering in private family matters.
- Article 25 (Right to Health): Obstruction of medical treatment for the injured.
- Crimes Against Humanity: Under Article 7 of the Rome Statute, the systematic murder, enforced disappearance, and inhumane acts against a civilian population in Fardis qualify as Crimes Against Humanity.
The Time for Action is Now
The pattern of repression in Fardis—specifically the documented use of “finishing shots” against the wounded and the extortion of bereaved families—indicates a centralized command structure aimed at the physical destruction of protesters. These acts fall squarely within the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (ICC). The names of the commanders responsible for the siege and massacre in Fardis must be identified immediately, placed on international sanctions lists, and subjected to judicial prosecution. This level of atrocity exceeds internal suppression and constitutes a war crime against a civilian population.
