Neda identified? Update: New details
posted at 7:18 pm on June 21, 2009 by Allahpundit
Word on the street via one Iranian tweeter is that her name was Neda Agha Soltan. That’s also the name circulating on a few websites and now being attributed to her in a hastily arranged Wikipedia bio. The rumor — and it’s all rumor until some newspaper tracks down her family — is that she was 27 years old and a philosophy student. I hope to god this isn’t really her photo because the thought of her being so beautiful and dignified makes the murder somehow that much more obscene.
Two clips below. The second you’ve already seen; the first is a new one circulating today, shot sometime before the moment of truth. The blue shirt on the gray-haired man in the foreground should look familiar. That’s almost certainly her standing to his left, watching the protest, bothering no one. Read this Time piece on Neda by Iran expert Robin Wright afterwards, as it touches on the huge significance of martyrdom not only in Shiite theology but in Iran’s political tradition. If there’s any justice, there’ll be videos like this of Khamenei and Ahmadinejad someday soon.
Update: A Farsi speaker tells HuffPo that this blogger is claiming that Neda was at the protest with her professor and several other students and that the fatal shot was fired by a Basij driving by on a motorcycle. No rhyme or reason; I wonder if he even aimed. The burial, reportedly, was today — and her memorial service was ordered canceled by the regime.
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I hope this squashes the doubters at MichelleMalkin.com who are writing that this video is fake and that this was all staged.
moonsbreath on June 21, 2009 at 8:00 PM
I think I missed your response to an earlier question. So you are saying Israel has the right to exist and any move by Tehran to eliminate Israel should be met with nuke tipped Hell-Fire missles ? Is that what I hear you saying ?
JonRoss on June 21, 2009 at 8:00 PM
She is beautiful. *sigh* God rest her soul.
ctmom on June 21, 2009 at 8:00 PM
Hey Allah,
Any chance of terminating this troll?
There should be some threads where scummy shitbags like GrowsPuss shouldn’t be allowed to troll in.
dave c on June 21, 2009 at 8:00 PM
Another reason why the Taliban suck, why Hamas sucks, why Hizb’allah sucks.
They imbed themselves among women and children.
Cowards
Yet you freaks give them the benefit of the doubt.
blatantblue on June 21, 2009 at 8:00 PM
Why do you feed the troll?
CWforFreedom on June 21, 2009 at 8:00 PM
Whoa
really?
blatantblue on June 21, 2009 at 8:01 PM
She resonates around the world because she is young. AllahP isnt alone in reconizing that fact.
Her picture is being flashed everywhere. Yes if she looked different it wouldnt have as strong an emotional impact but it isnt just something that needs to be a focus of this debate. The death of the girl is the issue here and nothing else.
William Amos on June 21, 2009 at 8:01 PM
“Because this all comes from the same people who couldn’t care less if innocent people die”
quit projecting, asshat …
Buckaroo on June 21, 2009 at 8:01 PM
Yes, precisely. It’s the contrast. I’ve posted heartbreaking vids of young Iranian men bleeding to death too but the Neda vid has caught on worldwide because it’s more of a contrast to expectations. Leave it to our trolls to take a dump in the comments to a memorial post, though, in order to try to score a cheap half-assed gotcha. You reek.
Allahpundit on June 21, 2009 at 8:01 PM
I’m done. You’ve got your ‘Hallmark moment.” Enjoy.
Grow Fins on June 21, 2009 at 8:01 PM
The comment didn’t reference her youth. And even if it did, after becoming an adult, I see no less worth in an 80 year old than I do her.
csdeven on June 21, 2009 at 8:02 PM
The tactic of every tyrant: Kill one, terrify a thousand.
Rest in peace, brave Neda.
PattyJ on June 21, 2009 at 8:04 PM
This society and increasingly this world is obsessed with beauty. So yes her beauty will effect how this murder is viewed. That is just a reality.
CWforFreedom on June 21, 2009 at 8:04 PM
Yes that is tragic as well but again you live in a perfect world protected by the very people you chose to vilify with that post.
If not for those people in the military you would be living in a totalistarian society.
Allah is right you reek.
William Amos on June 21, 2009 at 8:04 PM
The troll is truly ill
CWforFreedom on June 21, 2009 at 8:04 PM
People DO get more upset when they hear a three year old child is murdered than when an 80 year old is murdered. GF is just trying to divert from the crimes being carried out by the mullahs in charge.
JonRoss on June 21, 2009 at 8:05 PM
Im with ya, AP.
She represents the youth of Iran. The youth being squashed
Soyara M. — Neda.
blatantblue on June 21, 2009 at 8:05 PM
At first I was skeptical, too, because it appeared that they were doing chest compressions on her upper chest near her throat. Instead, they were applying pressure to the wound. The amount of blood flowing out of her mouth and her nose — no one could breath. Her airway is filled with blood.
Blake on June 21, 2009 at 8:05 PM
Don’t let the door hit you in your face..
the_nile on June 21, 2009 at 8:05 PM
she resonates around the world because she was simply LIVING LIFE and observing the courageous acts of her fellow citizens with her dad and got SHOT TO DEATH BY SUBHUMANS — for standing in the street.
and a hearty F.O. to g.f. or any other P.O.S. who feels the need to spit on her even afterwards …
Buckaroo on June 21, 2009 at 8:05 PM
She seemed very soft and probably wouldn’t have hurt a fly. Does anyone know if the man in the blue stripped shirt was her uncle or relative?
Allah, no matter if you believe in God or not, I can tell this is bothering you. Keep the peace and keep blogging.
upinak on June 21, 2009 at 8:06 PM
Well I guess that is how it is to me. I’m not speaking for anyone else.
blatantblue on June 21, 2009 at 8:06 PM
The troll is just dumb and petty. What’s ill is going along with the troll and giving it everything it wants.
exception on June 21, 2009 at 8:06 PM
It really is.
Allahpundit on June 21, 2009 at 8:07 PM
Thanks for the phenomenal Tweeting for the past few days. It’s been my primary source of info on the conflict.
dedalus on June 21, 2009 at 8:07 PM
Photo here
Neda was bleeding to death before she even hit the ground.
William Amos on June 21, 2009 at 8:08 PM
I honestly can’t believe I’m getting trolled in this post of all posts. A nice reminder that I have vacation coming up soon to look forward.
Allahpundit on June 21, 2009 at 8:08 PM
It is good to question all of this information.
CWforFreedom on June 21, 2009 at 8:08 PM
As it should. She’s a young woman. A fresh face, having grown up under the strictures of the Iranian regime — thirsting for the quench of a drop of liberty.
Snuffed out for wanting it.
blatantblue on June 21, 2009 at 8:08 PM
I’m done. You’ve got your ‘Hallmark moment.” Enjoy.
Grow Fins on June 21, 2009 at 8:01 PM
Leave it to you to diminish the young woman’s murder as akin to a simple greeting card.
No wonder this nation is in such dire straights, what with sorry trash like Fins running around.
Bishop on June 21, 2009 at 8:09 PM
But that isn’t a trait we should be encouraging in ourselves (not to say you encouraged it). I’d hope after the Susan Boyle discussions, we would be equally aghast at the murders of both ugly men and beautiful women.
This viral video is an indictment on humanity’s shallowness.
csdeven on June 21, 2009 at 8:09 PM
I know it is. I did blog about it. I added you into it, saying that it bothered you. Death isn’t fun … you’re a good man Allah.
upinak on June 21, 2009 at 8:09 PM
A.P. — big praise is well deserved to you for the past week for your tireless work in documenting the iranian uprising. Take your sadness, and your anger, and continue to channel it into documenting the acts of the regime — and in your own way you are part of the resistance that will bring them down!
Buckaroo on June 21, 2009 at 8:10 PM
Whoever she is, whatever she looks like, however, old she is, it is tragic. I know no malice was intended here. So Fins KMA.
What is it going to take to get
our the no nut leader to take a stand. i really believe that in WH truely is perplexed on how to react.To be a leader means gather as much information as you can and make a call. This is analysis by paralysis.
HoustonRight on June 21, 2009 at 8:10 PM
You’ve got your ‘Hallmark moment’.Enjoy.
Grow Fins on June 21,2009 at 8:01PM..
Grows Fins:
I do not relish in predictions,and I’am certaintly not dancing that what i have said came to reality!
If,Obama would of come out,your beloved,can’t do nothing wrong President sooner,saying something about the Iranian
elections,or warning the Mullahs of dire consequences,as
THE LEADER OF THE FREE WORLD,
then maybe Obama wouldn’t have
blood on his hands!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
canopfor on June 21, 2009 at 8:10 PM
Who cares? She’s beautiful because she is young which is evident by her photo and that he posted her age as 27 years old. Your feelings are your feelings. But people are allowed to feel the emotions they do for the reasons they do with out anyone chiding them. And frankly, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard people express similar emotions when a young person has been killed.
Blake on June 21, 2009 at 8:10 PM
Beautiful young woman. She has great dignity in that picture.
Ted Torgerson on June 21, 2009 at 8:11 PM
upinak on June 21, 2009 at 8:06 PM
The original word was that she was standing with her father.
maverick muse on June 21, 2009 at 8:11 PM
Thank you.
Yes.
Loxodonta on June 21, 2009 at 8:11 PM
Well Allah its an emotional subject. People arent rational in those kinds of debates.
It is significant that she was a young beautiful woman. Muslims would really have a hard time saying that the Iranian regeme was legitimate in murdering an unarmed woman and that video will have a greater impact there than even here in the west.
Again isnt anything on you. Its human nature to focus on these things.
William Amos on June 21, 2009 at 8:12 PM
ty mave.
upinak on June 21, 2009 at 8:12 PM
forgot to undo the strike.
to be a leader means gather as much information as you can and make a call. WH is analysis by paralysis.
HoustonRight on June 21, 2009 at 8:12 PM
Only the good die young, I have heard.
JonRoss on June 21, 2009 at 8:12 PM
Being honest:
maybe AP will take some anger
and ban trolls.
blatantblue on June 21, 2009 at 8:12 PM
Iran’s tyrants can
kill Neda Agha Soltan
but her voice still lives
– Neda haiku
Loxodonta on June 21, 2009 at 8:13 PM
You’re right, though. She does represent the youth of Iran that is being squashed. It’s tragic. It makes me sick.
ladyingray on June 21, 2009 at 8:13 PM
The guy in the striped shirt next to her is her father. So said the original poster on youtube.
William Amos on June 21, 2009 at 8:13 PM
I’m not more or less aghast. I was aghast yesterday when I didn’t know what she looked like without gore all over her face and I was aghast last week when that poor, poor kid in the Isfahan dorms got shot in the throat and bled out onto the floor. My point, very simply, was that there are certain psychological expectations or stereotypes we have of people involved in street warfare and she shatters those stereotypes. “Shocking” probably would have been a better word than “obscene” in hindsight, but that’s what I was going for.
Allahpundit on June 21, 2009 at 8:14 PM
+7%………..
Seven Percent Solution on June 21, 2009 at 8:14 PM
Tyrants of Iran
the Voice of Iran calls you
let there be Justice
– Neda haiku
Loxodonta on June 21, 2009 at 8:14 PM
ugh i cant keep from crying watching that video…
the father’s screaming “neda stay, neda stay…” this is so terrible. and again i was the kind of kid who checked out ogrish.com to desensitize myself to this sort of violence. but this video makes me cry every time. god damn this regime.
ernesto on June 21, 2009 at 8:14 PM
Most 80-year-olds would disagree. They know that the promise of a better future no longer resides in their hands. Even people half that age begin to sense it.
dedalus on June 21, 2009 at 8:14 PM
Lady, what makes it sick and I don’t think I have seen any stories on it but then i may have missed it, was where she was shot and WHERE did it come from? A Roof? A Sniper? The shot was a kill shot for sure… that is undeniable. What is bad, is the screams. I can’t get that out of my head.
upinak on June 21, 2009 at 8:14 PM
I tell you what. When you meet her in heaven, tell her how tragic her death was because she was beautiful and young. Then ask her if she feels good knowing that the world felt a older ugly dude whom died for the same reason was less esteemed in it’s eyes.
Get back to me.
csdeven on June 21, 2009 at 8:16 PM
I stay away from here from time to time because it is like kissing your sister (I don’t have a sister so never could try it). A troll ever once in a while kinda hones my attack skills.
JonRoss on June 21, 2009 at 8:16 PM
passing the torch..
blatantblue on June 21, 2009 at 8:16 PM
Saw that on the video and forgot about it. I wonder if that is an exit wound and she was shot from behind.
Blake on June 21, 2009 at 8:17 PM
People protest funerals so I can’t see how it’s so hard to believe.
Grow Fins and others have the distinction of being rightly lumped together with Fred Phelps.
- The Cat
MirCat on June 21, 2009 at 8:17 PM
I have thought for a long time that the Persians are among the most beautiful people on Earth.
I read an interesting piece as to why, but I don’t want to change the subject.
God rest her soul.
Browndog on June 21, 2009 at 8:17 PM
Excellent point.
Liberals, just like Obama, still do not get it.
This lefty is “glad” that the peaceful Iranian protesters do not have guns to defend themselves.
I asked this question earlier on a different thread:
If the lefty blogger’s residence was invaded in similar fashion to the You Tube home invasions (by Iranian secret police), would he still be opposed to gun ownership?
ColtsFan on June 21, 2009 at 8:18 PM
I have a daughter,shes 18,she is a gymnastics coach!
I cannot imagine what Neda’s father is going through,my
daughter is my world,I have to admit,anything would ever
happed,God forbid,I would be crushed,so I can only surmise
what Nedas father is going through!
In the movie Godfather,at the end,they got to him,it
destroyed him,again,for the godfather his daughter was
his will,existence for life!!
canopfor on June 21, 2009 at 8:18 PM
There is no need to parse, AP. What you wrote was correct, and the meaning was obvious. Were it not so, then chivalry truly is dead, and I don’t want to live in that world.
Weight of Glory on June 21, 2009 at 8:18 PM
Don’t go off the rails. There… I got back to you.
Blake on June 21, 2009 at 8:19 PM
But that’s about right. It’s a primal deep offensiveness to the senses.
exception on June 21, 2009 at 8:19 PM
I agree and I feel that way about myself. But that is OK for the individual but it’s less than refined for anyone else to think so.
This is what Ochimpycare is going to give us. 80 year olds wont get the limited health care because they aren’t worth as much in Ochimpy’s eyes.
csdeven on June 21, 2009 at 8:19 PM
What I can’t get out of my mind is the way she looks at the camera…and yes, the screams and cries are horrific.
And you’re right…where the h*ll did that bullet come from?
ladyingray on June 21, 2009 at 8:19 PM
JonRoss on June 21, 2009 at 8:16 PM
I’m thankful I had plans for a week after the last open registration and wasn’t able to log on here; there was some serious leftist garbage who made it past the jackalope detectors.
Bishop on June 21, 2009 at 8:20 PM
csdeven
please meet reality
CWforFreedom on June 21, 2009 at 8:20 PM
Cripes you dopes Allahpundit also wrote “dignified.”
You turds got any gripes about that?
She was beautiful. She was dignified.
And she died hauntingly.
Murdered.
Stephen M on June 21, 2009 at 8:21 PM
Very true, friend.
Weight of Glory on June 21, 2009 at 8:21 PM
That’s the part that really hits me. I don’t normally wish death upon people, but I hope Khamenei and Ahmadinejad are hanged.
Slublog on June 21, 2009 at 8:21 PM
I would honestly trust that if Allahpundit had been there next to Neda he would have jumped in front of her to take the bullet.
That I think is what bothers him. He cant do anything other than comment on this. I know I feel the same way sometimes.
William Amos on June 21, 2009 at 8:22 PM
I’ve viewed the video once. I couldn’t do it anymore than that. I felt like I was intruding on that poor woman’s final moments and her father’s agony. It’s too much.
On a personal note A.P. I’d like to thank you for the incredible work you’ve done this weekend. You, Ed and all the others there deserve a medal.
Dino64 on June 21, 2009 at 8:22 PM
Exactly and her beauty would carry no weight whatsoever.
csdeven on June 21, 2009 at 8:22 PM
Exactly.
Weight of Glory on June 21, 2009 at 8:23 PM
There’s a photo. She is beautiful. He said 27 years old. That is young. And there is not too many years differences in their ages. I’m not interested in your p.c. games about what emotions are/are not appropriate concerning death.
Blake on June 21, 2009 at 8:23 PM
Since you can’ see blood coming out of her back, I assume it is a .22 (or something close to that)as they make nasty holes especially in that area and someone can bleed out.
When you shot a heart/lung shot.. most animals will bleed excessively out the mouth and nose. I thnk she died almost instantly. She didn’t look around much after she went down either. :( it makes me extremely sad.
upinak on June 21, 2009 at 8:23 PM
Grow Fins on June 21, 2009 at 7:59 PM
.
Hey gf,
Is that your picture on the HTTP:// bar from your web link.
.
If it is ladies & gentlemen; we are talking to SHEPARD SMITH. Take a look if you don’t believe me. Hey Shep, how you doing. You dirty rascal. Received a lot of hate mail lately haven’t you. Give us one of them on a HA thread so we can talk more about you. I mean it is obvious to us that your are trying to hijack this thread. Give us the low down.
Americannodash on June 21, 2009 at 8:23 PM
This makes me physically ill. My daughter is 25, and I fear something similar happening to her here. I can only pray for this young woman’s family.
I commend to you the following article by Jonathan Rosenblum from the Jewish World Review, May 11, 2009, “Sometimes it is more essential to define the nature of evil than good”
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/jonathan/rosenblum_evil.php3, and also the book “Troublesome Young Men”, by Lynne Olson. Olson’s book is a recounting of how blind Neville Chamberlain AND HIS MEDIA SYCOPHANTS chose to be. The money quote from Rosenblum’s article; “It is hard to censor the press when it wants to be free, but easy if it gives up its freedom voluntarily.”
oldleprechaun on June 21, 2009 at 8:24 PM
Americans in general will see the value of gun ownership after this debacle. Had the Iranian population been armed it would never have gotten this far so the liberal writer’s argument quoted above is useless.
CWforFreedom on June 21, 2009 at 8:24 PM
May God bless and protect her soul, and may He comfort her grieving family members.
AZCoyote on June 21, 2009 at 8:25 PM
Well Done!
I’m not in my 80′s or even close but I would gladly give my life for the future of our children. This is so tragic.
HoustonRight on June 21, 2009 at 8:25 PM
“William Amos on June 21, 2009 at 8:22 PM”
that’s why i wrote what i wrote to him. He IS doing something, he’s doing pretty much the best job in the blogosphere of a running ticker for the uprising!
Buckaroo on June 21, 2009 at 8:25 PM
Allahpundit,
Agreed. However, if it is later rather than sooner is it still justice?
P.S. Thank you for your time and service provided via your suburb journalistic endeavors.
Cody Baker on June 21, 2009 at 8:27 PM
What a beautiful young woman. Thanks Allah for keeping her memory alive as one of the several bloggers doing so.
We should pray for her and her family, as well as the people of Iran to have freedom and democracy prosper in their nation.
jencab on June 21, 2009 at 8:27 PM
Should do a sparticus take off
“I am AllahPundit…..”
William Amos on June 21, 2009 at 8:28 PM
So your point being that because a weakness in mans psyche leads him to hold crass views, that we should just not try to better ourselves?
Lets kill all ugly people. Then only beautiful people will die and all their deaths will be equally tragic.
csdeven on June 21, 2009 at 8:29 PM
Uh oh. Now you are in trouble
/sarc
CWforFreedom on June 21, 2009 at 8:29 PM
I hope this comes out right!
There was a marytr,a young Iranian boy,during the Iraq/Iran
conflict,and he litterly threw himself under da bus,an
Iraqy tank,and ka-blewy,the nutjobs celebrated his death!
Contrast the same group of Iranians goons,who celebrated
the young boys death,are the same group,that gunned down
Neda in cold blood,in broad day light,on an Iranian street!
canopfor on June 21, 2009 at 8:29 PM
I watched a special on the Military Channel once..
It was about the Balkans conflict, and the war correspondents there at the time.
One segment had a photographer/cameraman..
He was covering “Sniper alley,” and a young girl had gotten shot.
She was taken into the back of an SUV, and he was filming the entire time, and the lens was big, so you could see your reflection.
The door was open, and he stuck the camera into that area of the door to tape the girl. She was in her last moments, this pre-teen, and she began to look at the camera. She died, taking her last breath looking at that camera.
The guy then realized shortly thereafter what he had done.
He realized he could see herself in the lens.
He has never forgiven himself.
blatantblue on June 21, 2009 at 8:30 PM
I don’t think Allah or anyone else is suggesting that her death would be somehow less important if she had been 80. It’s just that her beauty and youth color one’s reaction to her death. This is simply human nature. She was beautiful and innocent and young and the heart rends accordingly.
Missy on June 21, 2009 at 8:30 PM
Yes that is exactly what I said.
/sarc
chill out
the reality is looks go a long way in how people are viewed.
I teach my kids to go beyond looks but you are being childish if you deny reality.
CWforFreedom on June 21, 2009 at 8:31 PM
Talk about overkill
Grow fins was enough of a drama queen
et tu brute?
CWforFreedom on June 21, 2009 at 8:32 PM
That’s awful…
ladyingray on June 21, 2009 at 8:32 PM
Ok, we get that you’re ugly. You don’t have to be so defensive.
And if you aren’t being defensive then you’re being petty.
- The Cat
MirCat on June 21, 2009 at 8:33 PM
How about we ignore the trolls and have Allah deal with them.
It isn’t about them.. not at this moment in time.
upinak on June 21, 2009 at 8:33 PM
If Allah P had only posted about Neda some might have a point. But he has been a dynamo posting many pictures and videos and links about Iran.
Neda has become the face of this conflict. AllahP is just reacting to that reality. He is not the one driving this story Neda is.
William Amos on June 21, 2009 at 8:33 PM
Yes, that’s exactly what everyone means.
exception on June 21, 2009 at 8:33 PM
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