This Photo Is Not From the Recent Protests in Iran
The Claim
A photo shows policemen holding a woman violently during the ongoing Iranian protests.
News posted on
Emerging story
During the ongoing Iranian protests, social media users have shared a photo purportedly showing two policemen holding a woman violently.
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar investigated the circulating photo and found the claim to be misleading.
After conducting a thorough reverse image search, Misbar found the photo to be outdated and unrelated to the recent protests in Iran.
2011 Image of Azerbaijan Protests Resurfaces Online
Our research revealed that the image was first featured in a 2011 article.
According to Islam Times, the photo was taken in 2011. The photo shows Azerbaijani policemen holding a woman brutally during the demonstrations of the people of the Republic of Azerbaijan in protest against the government’s corruption. At the time, protests demanded the dissolution of the National Parliament of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
The same website shared the photo from another angle.
The same photo was featured in another article that dates to June 30, 2012.
Anti-government Protests Continue in Iran
Despite Iran's violent assault on protesters, people have continued to demonstrate for a fifth week. Many Iranians were infuriated when Mahsa Amini, 22, died last month because of the brutality of the morality police. Her death sparked the largest anti-government demonstrations in years, as she became an icon.
As of October 17th, 215 people, including 27 children, had died as a result of the nationwide protests, according to the most recent report by the Iran Human Rights group.
The European Union has placed sanctions on Iran's information minister and morality police due to their alleged involvement in the security crackdown on anti-government protests.
The extensive and disproportionate use of force against peaceful protesters was denounced by the EU: "The widespread and disproportionate use of force against peaceful protesters. This is unjustifiable and unacceptable. People in Iran, as anywhere else, have the right to peacefully protest, and this right must be ensured in all circumstances."
Read More
This Video Is Not From a Naked Protest in Iran
This Photo Does Not Depict a Hair Flag From Protests in Iran
