Families of Iranians killed by the regime during its crackdown on anti-government protests over the past week have shared their devastation with the Guardian after learning of their relatives’ deaths.
According to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, more than 2,500 people have been killed so far, and the death toll is expected to rise significantly as the regime eases a communications blackout imposed since January 8.
Iran has one of the world’s largest diasporas, many of whom left after the 1979 revolution, with at least half a million living in Europe. However, with the internet shut down, relatives overseas have struggled to find out what happened to family members in Iran.
Hali Norei, 40, says she collapsed when she received a call informing her that her 23-year-old niece, Robina Aminian, had been shot in the head from behind after joining university friends at a protest in Tehran on January 8. The news only reached her after relatives in Iran traveled to the Iraqi border to get enough internet connection to call abroad.
“It’s a tragedy for my family,” says Norei. “I don’t know what I can do for them, but I want to be Robina’s voice and don’t want this regime to silence the voices of our children.”
Norei says her family in Iran traveled to Tehran to identify Aminian and saw “hundreds of bodies of young people shot and killed.” They were then forced to take Aminian’s body secretly after authorities refused to let them bring it home.
“Amene [Aminian’s mother], one of the bravest members of our family, wailed loudly but was determined to bring her baby home,” Norei says. “She picked her up in her arms and was forced to steal her own child’s body; she drove back home with her on her lap.”
After leaving, Aminian’s family was followed home by security forces, who remained stationed outside their house. After approaching several mosques, the family says they were denied a funeral ceremony and “forced to bury her along the road, digging the ground themselves to bury their child,” according to Norei.
Norei’s husband, Nezar Minoei, says: “Our Robina was full of energy and dreams. She was full of love. Each time she would come back from university, she would sneak into her parents’ bed and sleep in. She was the baby of the family. She wanted to travel to Milan and pursue a master’s in fashion design. She wanted to bring her culture to the world in a unique way—like Persian, Kurdish, Baluchi designs. I always told my wife: ‘Robina will be very famous.'”
Several Iranians living abroad told the Guardian that almost everyone they knew was protesting in the streets, and they were worried about whether they were still alive.
Sara Rasuli, 39, fled Iran after the Women, Life, Freedom protests of 2022 and is now a refugee in Germany. After finally speaking to her family in Iran, she learned that her cousin Ebrahim Yousefi, a 42-year-old Kurdish father of three, had been killed after being shot by security forces.
Hours before attending the protest, Yousefi posted a message on social media, saying: “We ourselves never had any luck, nor did our children … We grew up with war and hunger, our children with sanctions, power cuts, water shortage, and pollution … God, in the end, what will become of our children.”
Rasuli says she received the news of his death when relatives contacted her after traveling to the Iraqi border. “My cousin went out to fight for freedom and the rights of the people,” she said.”He was kind and just the nicest person you would meet. The economy has worsened so much that even buying meat has become a luxury,” says Rasuli, who adds that one other cousin was wounded and another arrested at a protest.
“The last I know is that two of my relatives went to retrieve Yousefi’s body. Not only were they denied the corpse, they were both arrested as well. We don’t have an update on anything else that’s happening to my family members due to the blackout.”
“The whole world needs to know what’s happening to the children of Iran, especially the Kurds,” she says.
Another Iranian living in Canada, 36-year-old world champion bodybuilder Akbar Sarbaz, could not believe it when he learned that his idol, coach, and friend of over 15 years, Mahdi (Masoud) Zatparvar, had been shot and killed at a protest on January 9.
Sarbaz says Zatparvar, a two-time bodybuilding champion and coach, had shared a post on Instagram just hours before his death, writing: “I just want my rights. A voice that has been silenced in me for over 40 years must scream.”
“You took away our youth, hopes, dreams,” he continued. “I am here so that tomorrow I won’t look at myself in the mirror and say that I had no courage, no honor… I will pay anything for it.”
“Just hours before he was killed,” says Sarbaz, “he asked me to share this Instagram post and be the voice of the protesting people of Iran. He was fearless and the kindest.”
“He also managed two charity organizations. I can’t believe I won’t see him again. I am still in shock,” says Sarbaz. “He wanted to fight for the rights and freedom of our compatriots and, despite the crackdown, he joined the others on the streets. He was the bravest.”
“We had some wonderful memories together, and my favorite one is the moment he placed the gold medal around my neck. I can’t believe it and don’t want to believe he’s gone.”
Siavash Shirzad, a 38-year-old father of one, was told by his family not to join the protests in Tehran’s Punak Square on January 8 because of the dangers. On Tuesday, one of his cousins living overseas learned that Shirzad had joined a group of protesters who gathered around a fire and danced to Kurdish songs. They were shot at by security forces.
Shirzad was still alive when he was taken to Tehran’s al-Ghadir hospital, but it was overwhelmed with wounded protesters, so he was taken instead to the Rasoul Akram hospital. Hospital staff there called his family around 4 a.m. on January 9 to tell them, “Your son is alive, please come.” But by the time they arrived, he had died.
Shirzad’s body was among hundreds at the Kahrizak forensic medicine center in Tehran. A video showed distressed families searching for loved ones among body bags on the floor. His cousin says he was told all the bodies were numbered and Shirzad’s number was 12,647. “My family was forced to pay a large sum of money just to be shown his body in the morgue,” he says.
His cousin says the family was refused permission to take the body for burial unless they kept the ceremony private, and was told: “Otherwise, we will bury him ourselves, in a place where there are 12,000 mass graves. Then he will disappear among the bodies, and you will never find him.”
They were then followed by military vehicles and warned: “If even a single slogan is shouted, we will take the body back.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about the article The world must see what is happening here Families of protesters killed in Iran share their devastating grief
Understanding the Basics
What is this article about
Its a news report that shares the personal stories and profound grief of families in Iran who have lost loved ones during the recent protest movements It focuses on their demand for the world to witness their pain and the governments actions
What protests is it referring to
It primarily refers to the nationwide protest movement that began in September 2022 following the death of Mahsa Amini in morality police custody and the subsequent waves of unrest Protesters have called for greater freedoms and womens rights
Why are the families speaking out
They are speaking out to honor their loved ones counter official narratives that often label the deceased as rioters or terrorists and apply international pressure on the Iranian government by putting a human face on the casualties
Details and Context
How many people have been killed
The exact number is contested While Iranian officials give low figures international human rights groups like Amnesty International and HRANA report hundreds of protesters killed including dozens of children
What are the main challenges these families face
Families face immense pressure harassment and intimidation by security forces threats to remain silent being forced to hold quiet burials and the risk of arrest if they publicly mourn or seek justice
What does The world must see mean
Its a plea for international awareness and accountability The families believe that if the global community sees the true human cost it may lead to diplomatic pressure sanctions or support that can help prevent further violence and bring about justice
Deeper Questions and Implications
Why is the Iranian government cracking down so harshly
The government views the protests as a threat to national security and stability often blaming them on foreign enemies It uses force to deter further dissent and maintain control
What has been the international response
Responses have varied Many Western nations have condemned the violence and imposed sanctions on specific Iranian officials and entities The UN has held sessions and factfinding missions However families and activists often feel the response has been insufficient
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