Nika Shakarami’s mysterious killing has fueled a new wave of protests in Iran.
Sixteen-year-old Nika went missing for 10 days until her body was found by her family at a detention center morgue last month.
The New Arab reported that she had messaged a friend on the day of her disappearance, saying she was being chased by security forces.
Since her death, Iranian activists and social media users have shared images and videos of the charismatic teenage activist, lauding her bravery in taking part in the protests.
The girl, who has been described as carefree and full of life, is being hailed as a new face of the ongoing Iran demonstrations and a martyr for freedom, as protesters demand an end to dictatorial rule.
A video clip of Nika has gone viral on social media showing her dancing and singing to an Iranian love song from the famous 1968 film ‘Soltane Ghalbha’, according to the Italian daily Corriere della Sera.
In the video, Shakarami can be seen laughing along and asking friends “not to make fun of her” in a playful manner.
Farid Vahid, the director for the Jean-Jaures Middle East and North Africa observatory in Paris, described Shakarami as “full of life, full of happiness, full of youth”.
Several others have echoed the popular ‘Say Her Name’ slogan under English and Persian-language hashtags of the young girl’s name, alongside Amini Mahsa.
Abdy Yeganeh, policy director at non-profit group Independent Diplomat, called Shakarami’s death a “tragedy and a crime” and called her “smile, joy, and laugher” the spirit that the Iranian regime “is so scared of”.
Former Iranian national team footballer Ali Karimi, who has voiced continuous support for the ongoing protests, posted an image of Shakarami.
