Iranian Archer Shot and Blinded During Anti-Government Protest... "No Regrets"

Iranian Archer Loses Left Eye While Participating in Protest

An Iranian female archer who lost one eye after being shot during anti-government protests in Iran stated that she "does not regret" her actions.

On the 24th (local time), according to Indian media Wion and others, Kosar Khoshnoudikia, a member of the Iranian national archery team, was blinded in her left eye after being shot by Iranian security forces during anti-government protests in the western Kermanshah region of Iran last December. At the time, Khoshnoudikia was participating in the protests alongside her father.

Protesters clashing with police in Tehran, Iran, last September. [Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

She said, "I was shot three times in my right hand and once in my left eye," adding, "My father was also shot in the hand." She continued, "I am never sad about what has already happened," and expressed gratitude for the support from many, saying, "Though I have lost something, I have also gained a lot."

Khoshnoudikia, a former national team member, won a silver medal in the women's compound team event at the 2021 Asian Archery Championships. However, due to this injury, she now faces the prospect of having to end her athletic career.

Meanwhile, in September last year, Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old female university student, was arrested by police for not wearing her hijab properly and died under suspicious circumstances. This incident sparked large-scale anti-government protests that have continued for over four months. However, Iranian authorities have labeled the protests as 'riots' instigated by the West and have taken a hardline approach, including violent crackdowns on protesters.

The Iranian judiciary continues to carry out death sentences against participants in the anti-government protests. So far, the judiciary has sentenced 18 people to death in connection with the protests, and it is reported that four of these sentences have been carried out. According to the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), as of the end of last year, 508 protesters have lost their lives, and approximately 19,000 protesters have been detained.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.