The Guardian publishes X-rays from Iran showing ‘deliberate targeting’ of protesters’ vital organs

The Guardian publishes an exclusive set of x-rays and CT scans from Iran that medics say show the “deliberate targeting” of the vital organs of protesters during the brutal crackdown last month.

A medic, named as Dr. Ahmad, whose name has been changed to protect his identity but whose credentials have been verified by the newspaper, says he spoke to colleagues across Iran who “report a recurring pattern of deliberate gunshot injuries targeting specific organs, most notably the eyes and heart, and less frequently the genital region.”

“These injuries commonly involve penetrating eye trauma, globe rupture, severe intraocular bleeding, retinal damage, and permanent vision loss,” he says.

The Guardian says it reviewed over 75 sets of medical images from one hospital in a major Iranian city that were taken in one evening during the crackdown.

The newspaper says many of the images show the protesters were shot at close or medium range.

Medical experts tell the newspaper that doctors would only take images of patients that they believe can be saved — meaning that there are no images of those killed or who arrived at medical centers with the most catastrophic injuries.

Another unnamed doctor tells the newspaper that those who arrived at their hospital for medical treatment ranged in age from toddlers to grandparents.

“They came in with gunshots and also pellets in different locations on the body – to the chest, the abdomen, limbs, genitals … basically the entire body. Live ammunition wounds from pistols, AK47s,” the doctor says.

“I am still trying to cope with it,” he says. “You can only witness so much.”