A mother identified as Samira is now operating as a "one-woman army" against the Iranian regime from abroad, seeking accountability after her 16-year-old daughter, Sevda, was shot dead by security forces during recent nationwide protests.

Samira, who previously worked in sales and did not consider herself political, found her life irrevocably changed the day her only child was killed. Sevda was participating in demonstrations that began earlier in the year, initially sparked by economic discontent and evolving into widespread calls for the end of the Islamic Republic.

According to Samira, Iranian authorities obstructed her efforts to locate her daughter's body, an experience that intensified her grief into a resolve for action. She described the authorities' actions as "harassment" and realized that finding Sevda was only the "beginning" of her struggle.

Samira has since made a perilous escape from Iran, traveling on foot through mountainous terrain. She now lives in hiding in an undisclosed location, dedicating herself to identifying the security forces and officials she believes are responsible for the fatal shooting of her daughter and others during the protests.

Sevda was killed on January 9, participating in demonstrations on the outskirts of Tehran alongside her mother. Samira stated that while she herself was not highly political at the time, her daughter was inspired by other young women, such as Mahsa Amini and Nika Shakarami, whose deaths had previously triggered significant protests against the country's strict Islamic dress code and governance.

Samira expressed her determination to pursue justice, stating that while the regime might try to silence her, finding her "won't be easy." She believes there is no path back to a normal life after her daughter's death and the subsequent events.

Iranian officials, speaking to Panorama, claimed that "peaceful and legitimate protests" were "hijacked by foreign powers," including the United States, which they alleged promoted violence and compromised public security. They stated that these foreign actors provided weapons and equipment to instigate unrest.

The BBC spoke with several Iranians who wished to share their experiences despite the risks, especially after the mass protests were "brutally crushed" by authorities. These individuals found it difficult to maintain hope amid the crackdown.