NEDA SOLTAN

A 27-year-old philosophy student, Ms Soltan has been described as Iran’s “Angel of Freedom” after she was shot on her way to a piano lesson in her native Tehran. Video footage of her killing has made her into a symbol of Iran’s struggle for democracy, which this year spilt over into violence.

She died on June 20, after speaking to her mother on her mobile telephone to tell her that riot police had fired tear gas at female protesters, who had taken to the streets to voice their concerns about the presidential elections. Shortly after the tear gas incident, police opened fire and Ms Soltan was shot dead.

Pictures of her lying dead in the street instantly flashed around the world. Her heartbroken mother, Hajar Rostami Motlagh, says she has derived comfort from the fact that the world had grieved for her daughter. Her daughter, she said, was not political. ”It was

all about being young and feeling passionate about freedom. Every other young Iranian was there.’’

Shappi Khorsandi, the Iranian-born stand-up comedian whose family fled to london after the Islamic revolution, writes:

The image of this beautiful, educated, brave young woman has become a symbol of Iran’s ”Green Movement’’ demanding democracy. Neda Soltan represents the lion-hearted, freedom-loving Iranians who are sacrificing their lives in these protests. It is ordinary people like Neda who will eventually bring democracy to Iran, not politicians in their suits with their bombs.