A landmark legal complaint has been filed in Argentina against 40 named Iranian officials, accusing them of crimes against humanity during the 2022 nationwide protests. The filing, submitted by a group of victims with support from a human rights documentation organization, alleges a systematic and brutal crackdown by state security forces.
The complaint details a pattern of violence against demonstrators, including the use of live ammunition, paintball guns, and metal pellets at close range, leading to mass arrests, torture, and executions. The legal action invokes the principle of universal jurisdiction, which allows for the prosecution of severe international crimes regardless of where they were committed.
Among the plaintiffs is a woman whose mother was killed during the protests. An autopsy reportedly found the victim had been shot in the back with over 160 metal pellets. The daughter stated the legal effort is not about personal revenge, but about establishing accountability and preventing historical erasure. She described her mother’s death as part of a deliberate state practice showing a reckless disregard for human life.
Two other identified plaintiffs are women who suffered severe eye injuries after being shot at point-blank range with paintball guns by security personnel. Both were ultimately forced to flee Iran following their injuries and the subsequent threats they faced.
The legal team emphasizes this is a criminal complaint seeking an investigation, not a civil suit for damages. Argentina was chosen for its history of accepting universal jurisdiction cases. This filing follows other international legal actions against Iranian officials in Argentine courts related to past attacks.
The plaintiffs assert the complaint aims to officially document the alleged crimes, preserve evidence, and challenge impunity for actions they describe as a coordinated assault on fundamental freedoms.