Mehran Samak, 27, was shot in the head on Tuesday night while attending a festival in the northwestern city of Bandar Anzali, according to Oslo-based media. human rights in iran (IHR) organization. Another group, the New York-based Iranian Human Rights Center, Said Samak was reportedly killed by security forces while honking his car horn as part of celebrations in cities across the country.
of picture Car horns can be heard celebrating the defeat of Team Meri, as Iran is known, on social media after the game overnight, which could be interpreted as a blow to the country’s rulers. there is. .
The Washington Post was unable to independently verify reports surrounding Samak’s death. posted an image of himself and described Samak as “a childhood teammate.”
“I wish I could have stayed in this era forever,” Saeed Ezatrahi wrote on Instagram. “After last night’s bitter match, I am even more heartbroken to hear of your passing.”
Saeed Ezatrahi has shared a story on Instagram about his childhood teammate being murdered by authorities after a game last night.
“I wish I could stay that age forever.
without strife, without hatred, without envy, [cont’d] pic.twitter.com/xHce8r64OX— GolBezan (@GolBezan) November 30, 2022
Iran Human Rights Center on Wednesday share Video purporting to show Samak’s funeral, with mourners chanting anti-government slogans such as “Death to the Dictator”.
The refrain, which refers to Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has become a hallmark of protests that have swept Iran since the death of 22-year-old Kurdish woman Murthy Amini in police custody in September. ing.
Amini died three days after being detained by the “morality police” on suspicion of improperly wearing the hijab, a compulsory head covering. , spurred a wave of unrest that rapidly grew into opposition to the country’s authorities.
The Young Journalists Club, an Iran news agency affiliated with Iran’s state broadcaster, reported on Thursday that Samak’s body was found after a “rioter” gathered in Bandar Anzali. Quoting a local police official, the website said Samak was killed with a “hunting weapon” and authorities had arrested a number of suspects.
Iran has launched a brutal crackdown on protests, blaming foreign countries without providing proof of relevance.
So far, 459 people have died in anti-government protests, according to the Human Rights Activist Agency.
Separately on Wednesday, the Oslo-based IHR expressed concern over a number of protesters who said they feared imminent execution. Citing media reports, the group said it faced charges with six people sentenced to death and 26 with possible execution.