September 4, 2026; "Niloofar Mojavar," a 27-year-old woman from Piranshahr, passed away after being brain-dead following 10 days of captivity, severe violence, physical and sexual torture, rape, and deprivation of food and water by an individual who lured her into an undisclosed location. After several days of hospitalization, her family consented to donate her two kidneys—the only remaining healthy organs in her body.

The family has filed an official complaint against a man identified as "Seyed Ezzatoddin Seyed-Taheri," who exploited Niloofar's vulnerable situation, subjected her to horrific torture, and raped her; however, the suspect has not yet been arrested.

In an interview with Kurdpa, Niloofar Mojavar’s aunt, "Soheila Mehdizadeh"—who brought this case to the media—detailed the extent of the violence and abuse inflicted upon Niloofar. Emphasizing the urgent need for justice, Soheila stated: "Niloofar’s voice represents all women who are subjected to violence or may face it in the future. This voice must be raised so that such acts of violence are stopped and prevented from happening to other women."

10 Days of Torture, Rape, Hunger, and Thirst: Niloofar Arrived at the Hospital with a Shattered Body and Brain Death

Describing the crime against her niece as horrific, Niloofar’s aunt stated: "We do not know exactly where she was subjected to this extreme physical and sexual violence during those 10 days. However, given that her hands and feet were covered in dirt, we suspect she was held in a harsh, unpaved environment where she suffered these catastrophic injuries before becoming brain-dead."

According to her, the signs of torture and violent rape resulted in severe trauma to her vaginal and anal areas. Her entire body was covered in severe bruises, appearing as though a heavy object had been driven over her. Niloofar suffered fractures to her jaw and ribs, along with severe blunt-force trauma to the back of her head. These acts of violence were compounded by 10 days of complete deprivation of food and water.

Her aunt added: "Today, Friday, September 4, 2026, the family consented to donate her two kidneys, as they were the only organs that remained healthy and viable for transplantation. Her heart was too weak to be donated."

Following Media Coverage: Two Other Families Report Violence and Rape by Seyed Ezzatoddin Seyed-Taheri

Regarding "Seyed Ezzatoddin Seyed-Taheri," Niloofar’s aunt mentioned: "After Niloofar’s case became public, it emerged that this individual had deceived and abused many other women. Some have even alleged that he was involved in the deaths of three other women, though I cannot independently verify those claims. However, after we publicized Niloofar’s murder, two families contacted us stating that this same man had subjected their daughters to violence, rape, and torture, though they asked us not to disclose their names out of fear."

"Seyed Ezzatoddin Seyed-Taheri," 41 years old, is a resident of Piranshahr.

Following Niloofar's admission to the hospital, the family filed an official complaint against him with the Piranshahr Criminal Investigation Department (Agahi). Relevant officials told the family: "Do not take action yourselves; we are pursuing the matter." Despite this, Seyed-Taheri has not been arrested and remains a fugitive—a fact also acknowledged by state-affiliated media.

Seyed Ezzatoddin Seyed-Taheri Brought Niloofar to a Clinic with Severe Injuries, Claimed a Traffic Accident, and Fled

According to information received by Kurdpa, on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, "Niloofar Mojavar" was brought to a medical center in the village of "Andizeh" by "Seyed Ezzatoddin Seyed-Taheri"—who presented himself as her husband—suffering from severe injuries resulting from torture, physical abuse, and sexual assault. Seyed-Taheri claimed that Niloofar had been in a car accident.

Given Niloofar’s critical condition, medical staff insisted that she be transferred immediately to a city hospital. The man initially attempted to refuse, stating: "She doesn't want me, take her yourselves." However, staff insisted that since he claimed to be her husband, he had to accompany the ambulance. Seyed-Taheri rode in the ambulance until reaching the "Quran" roundabout, where he falsely claimed: "Pull over, I need to retrieve some documents." He then fled and did not return to the hospital.

Following his escape, at 11:30 PM on Tuesday, Seyed-Taheri called Niloofar’s mother, stating: "Niloofar and I were in an accident; come to Imam Khomeini Hospital in Piranshahr."

According to Niloofar’s aunt, the man instructed her mother to come alone, warned her against pursuing the matter further, and claimed he did not fear anyone or any authority.

Transferred from Piranshahr to Naqadeh and Urmia

Due to Niloofar’s critical state and extremely low brain activity, personnel at Imam Khomeini Hospital in Piranshahr immediately dispatched her to a hospital in Naqadeh, from where she was promptly transferred to Imam Khomeini Hospital in Urmia.

According to doctors at the Urmia hospital, Niloofar had been subjected to severe physical and sexual violence, torture, and rape over a 10-day period. She was completely deprived of food and water, with visible whip marks and extensive dark bruising covering her entire body. She had sustained severe fractures to her jaw and ribs, as well as critical trauma to the back of her head.

Physicians noted that the severe violence and starvation had caused her physical state to deteriorate to the point where she appeared like a 14- or 15-year-old child, describing it as one of the most brutal acts of violence they had encountered. Medical staff immediately declared her brain-dead due to catastrophic injuries and urged the family to consider organ donation.

Ultimately, on Friday, September 4, 2026, her two viable kidneys were donated.

Exploitation of a Vulnerable Situation

In her interview with Kurdpa, Niloofar's aunt provided details regarding her disappearance. On the evening of Sunday, August 23, 2026, Niloofar was scheduled to go to work early the following morning with her mother. Late that night, her exhausted mother asked Niloofar to prepare pasta for their work lunch. When the mother woke up, she found the pasta on the stove with the burner still on, but Niloofar was gone.

Worried, the mother did not go to work and repeatedly called Niloofar’s mobile phone, which was turned off. Eventually, "Seyed Ezzatoddin Seyed-Taheri" called the mother using Niloofar's phone. When asked who he was and why he had her daughter's phone, he replied: "I am [such person], and your daughter came with me voluntarily; we intend to get married." The mother demanded to speak to her daughter. Niloofar briefly said: "He is telling the truth, I came with him." When her mother asked why she had taken no clothing or personal belongings if she left voluntarily, Niloofar replied: "He will buy them for me."

After that call, Niloofar's phone was turned off and remained inactive. Over the next 10 days, Seyed-Taheri occasionally called Niloofar's parents from his own phone, promising that he would soon visit them to discuss marriage approval. Her parents waited for him to arrive. (Note: In parts of Kurdistan, it has historically been a traditional practice for young couples to elope without prior family knowledge, after which the groom's family approaches the bride's family to seek formal approval.)

Niloofar’s aunt noted that the family never spoke to Niloofar again after that brief initial call. Given that the food was left cooking on the stove, the family believes Niloofar did not leave voluntarily, but was coerced, deceived, or threatened. They emphasize that the suspect exploited the vulnerable nature of Niloofar, who was known to be quiet, introverted, and soft-spoken.

Niloofar and her mother had previously crossed paths with Seyed-Taheri through work. It remains unclear how he managed to obtain her phone number or contact her during the few occasions she accompanied her mother to work.

Personal Background and Vulnerability

When Niloofar left her home, she carried only her national ID card and mobile phone. She took no extra clothing, wearing the same clothes from the night she disappeared until her arrival at the hospital. Although she had been wearing gold earrings, neither the earrings nor her mobile phone were present when the family located her at the hospital.

Niloofar Mojavar was a 27-year-old resident of Piranshahr with a primary school education. In recent years, following her father's financial insolvency, she focused on assisting her family with domestic responsibilities and caring for her brothers while her mother worked as a manual laborer in agricultural fields and cold storage facilities to support the household.

Niloofar was an introverted young woman with no close friends, whose simplicity and isolated lifestyle made her particularly vulnerable. She managed the household, cared for her younger brothers, and had no prior personal relationships.

The Kurdpa Human Rights Organization strongly condemns this atrocious crime and calls for real safety and protection for women and girls in society. The tragedy inflicted upon 27-year-old Niloofar Mojavar represents a clear instance of femicide, severe physical and sexual torture, abduction, and deprivation of life under anti-woman laws and systemic judicial inaction.

Compiled by: Awin Mostafazadeh