Fact Check: Iranian protester Negin Ghadimi was killed, but viral image shows Turkish actress Tuba Büyüküstün
An image has been circulating online, claiming to show Negin Ghadimi, who was shot in an anti-government protest in Iran.
By - Md Mahfooz Alam
Claim:The image depicts 28-year-old Iranian protester Negin Ghadimi, who was shot by the Iranian regime and later died in her father’s arms.
Fact:The claim is misleading. While Negin Ghadimi was killed during the protests, the image shared is of Turkish actress Tuba Büyüküstün.
Meanwhile, an image of a woman has been circulating on social media, claiming to show a 28-year-old protester, Negin Ghadimi, who was allegedly shot by the Iranian regime and died in her father’s arms.
Sharing the image on Facebook, a user wrote, “Iranian Regime Kills 28-Year-Old Protester Negin Ghadimi. She Dıed in Her Father's Arms Demanding Freedom. Don't expect to hear a peep from the media or celebs.”
A similar claim can be found here.
Fact Check
NewsMeter found the claim misleading. Although protester Ghadimi was killed, the image used in the posts shows Turkish actress Tuba Büyüküstün.
Who is in the viral image?
A reverse image search of the viral image led us to the same photograph posted by actress, artist, and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Tuba Büyüküstün on Instagram on February 23, 2020.
We also found the photograph in a report published by the Turkish website Enson Haber on June 25, 2021. The report identified the woman as actress Tuba Büyüküstün and noted that her name was, at the time, linked to romance rumours involving consulting agency owner Erdinç Çatak.
Is there a protester named Negin Ghadimi killed by the Iranian regime?
A keyword search led us to a report published by ABC News on January 15. According to the report, Negin Ghadimi was a 28-year-old Iranian bioelectrical engineer who joined anti-government protests to be a voice for Iranians. Despite escalating violence and the use of tear gas, she continued to participate in the demonstrations.
The report states that she was shot from the left flank with live ammunition, with the bullet exiting through her abdomen. Due to violent clashes, she could not be immediately taken to a hospital and was instead rushed to a nearby house, where she later died in her father’s arms.
The images below compare Negin Ghadimi with Turkish actress Tuba Büyüküstün.
Therefore, we conclude that the viral image does not show Negin Ghadimi, who was shot in an anti-government protest in Iran. The claim is misleading.
