The murder of Elaheh Hoseinnezhad: Contradictions, ambiguities, and public outcry

Hengaw - Sunday, June 8, 2025

The murder of 24-year-old Elaheh Hoseinnezhad, a woman from Eslamshahr whose body was discovered in the desert outskirts of Tehran after an 11-day disappearance, has sparked widespread concern over the safety of women and the state of human rights in Iran. Her killing—accompanied by conflicting official accounts and her visible support for the “Jin, Jiyan, Azadi” (Woman, Life, Freedom) movement—has led to significant public outrage and demands for accountability.

Her body was buried on the evening of Friday, June 6, 2025, at Dar al-Salaam Cemetery in Eslamshahr. According to sources, security agencies exerted pressure on the family to refrain from speaking to the media, keep the burial low profile, and withhold information about the time of the body’s handover and funeral arrangements.

Disappearance and discovery

Elaheh Hoseinnezhad, employed at a beauty salon in the Saadat Abad district of Tehran, went missing on May 25, 2025, after leaving work to return to her home in Eslamshahr. Following rising public concern and silence from authorities, Mizan News Agency, affiliated with the judiciary, reported on June 5 that a suspect had been arrested and her body had been found.

According to official accounts, Elaheh was stabbed during a robbery attempt after resisting the assailant, who sought to steal her mobile phone. Her body was later found abandoned near Tehran’s airport.

Conflicting narratives and legal ambiguities

While police and government agencies initially cited phone theft as the motive, the pro-government news outlet Rokna reported that the murderer attempted to rape her after giving her a ride, and stabbed her in the chest during a struggle en route to Qaemieh Township, resulting in her death.

Further complicating the case, judiciary officials have referenced charges beyond robbery, including “abduction” and “corruption on earth,” suggesting the case may involve more serious and complex circumstances.

Background of the Suspect

The accused, Bahman Farzaneh, had a public history of expressing support for the Islamic Republic of Iran. In January 2020, he posted a photo of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on Instagram with the caption: “Love means my leader.” His ex-wife has since revealed a history of violent abuse, including multiple beatings and near-fatal incidents, underscoring a pattern of aggression.

Elaheh Hoseinnezhad's role in the "Woman, Life, Freedom" movement

Elaheh Hoseinnezhad had been active on social media and was a vocal supporter of the “Jin, Jiyan, Azadi” movement. Her Instagram featured posts supporting artists and activists linked to the protests, such as Toomaj Salehi and Mehdi Yarrahi. She had also paid tribute to Mohammad Hosseini, one of the protesters executed in the aftermath of the 2022 uprising, showing solidarity with the broader movement for freedom and justice in Iran.

Public response

Elaheh’s disappearance and murder have triggered a wave of outrage on social media. Celebrities, civil society activists, and ordinary users condemned the violence and called for justice and transparency.

Sanandaj-born footballer Voria Ghafouri wrote: “The murder of Elaheh Hoseinnezhad is not just an individual crime but a symptom of deep structural issues and psychological trauma in Iranian society.”

Former political prisoner Hossein Ronaghi commented on X (formerly Twitter), writing: “The Islamic Republic is responsible. They deploy thousands of agents and surveillance cameras to police women’s clothing, yet cannot —or will not — protect their lives.”

The Hengaw Organization for Human Rights views the murder of Elaheh Hoseinnezhad as emblematic of the structural and institutional violence faced by women in Iran. Far from an isolated incident, her killing highlights a broader context of legal neglect, systematic intimidation, and state-enabled gender-based violence. Hengaw calls for an independent and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death and the inconsistencies in official statements.