Iranian families are still mourning deeply after losing their relatives in the protests which began in September 2022. These scenes of tragedy played out on 8 and 9 January in Tehran, where security forces violently opened fire on protesters. Among the casualties were three individuals whose lives were cut short: Robina Aminian, Siavash Shirzad, and Ebrahim Yousefi. Individually, each of their stories shines a light onto the personal toll that political unrest can take, the heart-wrenching impact on families and people’s lives.
Robina Aminian, a bright, vibrant, 23-year-old fashion student, was shot in the head and died while protesting. Initially with friends from university during the visit, the tragedy struck. Her aunt, Hali Norei, was given the heartbreaking news in an unexpected phone call that her young niece Robina had died. Norei didn’t shy away from her grief, but she channeled that energy into something powerful. She promised to not let Robina’s voice die, not allowing the regime’s heavy censorship dampen it.
“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.” – Hali Norei
As Norei relived her sister’s battle, she began to feel the pain worsen. Robina’s mother, Amene, fought tooth and nail to get her daughter back home.
“Amene, who is one of the bravest members of our family, wailed loudly, but was determined to bring her baby home,” – Hali Norei
Norei went on to share the pain of having to bring back Robina’s dead body home.
“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.” – Hali Norei
The protests were not limited to Aminian. Another victim of lethal violence at the protests was Siavash Shirzad, a father of one, 38 years old. He was shot at while dancing around a fire with other pro-Kurdish protesters in honor of Kurdish culture. As told to me by his cousin, Shirzad’s ID # was logged as 12,647.
The atmosphere surrounding Shirzad’s death was charged. Military personnel allegedly threatened anyone who mourned his death, cautioning them not to express their grief to the public.
“If even a single slogan is shouted, we will take the body back.” – Military personnel
In addition to Alidousti’s friend, security forces shot and killed Ebrahim Yousefi, a 42-year-old motorcycle driver. He was a proud father of three. In the hours before going to the protest where he would lose his life, Yousefi posted these heartbreaking reflections on social media.
“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.” – Ebrahim Yousefi
His words summed up the frustration and the fear that many Iranian families live with today as protests and repression continue.
The most notable of this tragic loss is Mahdi Zatparvar, a world-renowned two-time bodybuilding champion and trainer. He was critically wounded while leading protests on January 9. His friend Akbar Sarbaz, a world champion bodybuilder, mourned the loss deeply and echoed sentiments shared by many grieving families. Zatparvar used social media to convey his hurt and outrage at the regime’s response.
“I just want my rights. A voice that has been silenced in me for over 40 years must scream.” – Mahdi Zatparvar (on Instagram)
He didn’t stop there, with more fiery oration aimed at the perpetrators of the racial violence.
“You took away our youth, hopes, dreams,” – Mahdi Zatparvar (on Instagram)
Yet, as these families struggle with their grief, they find themselves on an ever-growing list of victims. More than 2,500 individuals have reportedly been killed since the protests began, according to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency.
“I am here so that tomorrow I won’t look at myself in the mirror and say that I had no vein, no honour … I will pay anything for it.” – Mahdi Zatparvar (on Instagram)
Initially, the protests were a restoration of civil society in many ways. An expression of frustration against the internal repression, corruption, and mismanagement of the Iranian regime. The sad and untimely deaths of Aminian, Shirzad, Yousefi, Zatparvar, and too many others is heartbreaking. Their loss echoes painfully, sending shockwaves through thousands of families mourning in Iran.
Robina Aminian’s family remembers her as an unstoppable bundle of energy and ambition.
These families are under terrible heartbreaking trauma and pressure, and yet they show amazing resilience. Their courage is a symbol of a greater struggle for freedom and equality in the whole of Iran. While their stories reveal profound personal tragedy, they call for immediate accountability, especially in cases of state violence.
“Our Robina was full of energy and dreams. She was full of love,” – Nezar Minoei.
The resilience shown by these families in the face of such heartbreak is emblematic of a broader struggle for recognition and justice in Iran. Their stories reveal not only personal tragedies but also highlight the urgent need for accountability in the face of state violence.