Iranian officers suspended after footage appears to show abuse of teenage detainee
East Azerbaijan police say the incident occurred in June at a Tabriz station and is under investigation. The outcome has not been reported.
Footage shared widely on 17 September appears to show Iranian police officers beating and sexually humiliating a 17-year-old detainee at Police Station No. 14 in Tabriz. The Observers team said it geolocated the video to the station courtyard.
East Azerbaijan police said the incident took place on 4 June, when the teenager was arrested after a street fight. Police said officers involved had been disciplined and suspended pending investigation, with any further punishment dependent on a court ruling.
Police cited allegations against the teenager, including prior convictions, but said they did not justify the officers’ conduct. The statement did not say whether he was charged or convicted over the street fight, or when the officers were disciplined.
The footage’s circulation prompted public outrage and Iranian media coverage. The investigation’s outcome and any court ruling have not been reported.
Iranian journalist Niki Mahjoub said there are no comprehensive studies or statistics on police violence against people accused of ordinary crimes. She said social media may make incidents more visible, but the available evidence does not establish whether they are becoming more frequent.
