BBC PERSIAN - Massacred during the January protests: “Dad, I’m burning,” she said — and died in her father’s arms
BBC News Persian
Stories of the Victims of the January 2026 Protests
27 January 2026
The protests that swept
Severe internet shutdowns, restrictions on international phone calls, and
threats against the families and friends of those killed have made it extremely
difficult to document these cases. Despite these obstacles, the BBC’s
fact-finding team has been able to confirm and collect testimonies from a
limited number of families.
This report tells the stories of protesters who left home and never
returned. Through the voices of their loved ones, it recounts their final
moments, their dreams, their hobbies, and the reasons that drove them to the
streets — from a father who joined the protests for “a better future for the
next generation,” to a married couple who were shot and remained together until
their final breath.
This report contains details that may be distressing.
Negin Ghadimi
The woman who died in her father’s arms
Negin Ghadimi, 28, was a biotechnology student who loved art and swimming.
According to a relative, on January 9 her father pleaded with her not to attend
the protests.
She refused.
As protesters gathered in Shahsavar, security forces opened fire. A bullet
struck Negin in the side. She collapsed into her father’s arms and said, “Dad,
I’m burning.” She died moments later.
Nima Parsa
The language teacher who taught for free on YouTube
Nima (Mohammad-Amin) Parsa, 26, was an Italian and English language teacher
in
Nima created language-learning videos and shared them for free on YouTube.
He had recently earned his bachelor’s degree and had managed to buy his first
car.
“He was hardworking and honorable,” a relative said. “He loved
Mohammad Rezaei
A hardworking young man who had just returned from military service
Mohammad Rezaei, 32, was single and lived in
His body was taken to
Mohammad loved futsal and repeatedly tried to start a small business,
including opening a café, but failed due to economic hardship. He had just
completed two years of compulsory military service and dreamed of starting a
family.
Saeed Golsorkhi
A protester allegedly killed in custody
Saeed Golsorkhi, 31, the youngest of eight brothers, was shot in the knee by
security forces on January 8 outside the Shahroud governorate, according to a
source close to his family.
After being injured, he fled the hospital upon seeing officers arrest
wounded protesters. Security forces later raided his father’s home. Fearing for
his family’s safety, Saeed surrendered.
According to the source, he was shot in the back after being arrested in an
alley and was killed. His body was withheld for days, and his family remains
under intense security pressure. His brother Navid is also in custody.
Saeed was deeply devoted to his mother, religious, athletic, and worked as a
bodybuilder. He dreamed of marriage and a healthy life.
Raha Bahlolipour
The teenager who wrote “Woman, Life, Freedom — Forever”
Raha (Zahra) Bahlolipour, 19, was shot in the chest on
Her social media reflected her love of books and cinema. In one post, she
highlighted a quote by poet Forough Farrokhzad calling for the freedom and
equality of Iranian women.
In her final Telegram post, written hours before her death, Raha wrote:
“I just connected for a moment to write this: Woman, Life, Freedom —
forever.”
Behrouz Mansouri & Mansoureh Heidari
A couple who remained together until their final moments
Behrouz Mansouri and his wife, Mansoureh Heidari, were killed by live
ammunition on
According to a family source, protesters were fired upon from a Basij base
near the Quran Mosque. Behrouz was shot in the head; Mansoureh was shot in the
side.
Medical staff said Mansoureh was alive until midnight, but security forces
prevented aid from reaching the wounded for hours. The bodies were released to
their families four days later.
Mansoureh, 37, was a nurse. Behrouz was a technical school teacher. They are
survived by two children, aged 10 and 8. They were buried side by side.
Hossein Naseri
A father who protested for the next generation
Hossein Naseri, 73, was shot in the leg and killed in eastern
Before leaving home, he told relatives:
“My children are safe. It doesn’t matter what happens to me. I’m going for
a better future for the next generation.”
Due to internet blackouts, his children learned of his death seven days
later. He was buried in Behesht Zahra.
Shabnam Ferdowsi
A puppeteer who loved color and music
Shabnam Ferdowsi, 37, was killed by a gunshot to the stomach on
Friends said she loved bright colors, music, films, and creativity. After
she was shot, she was taken to a private hospital, which later denied any
record of her admission.
Four days later, her body was found in Kahrizak.
Mehdi Jafari
The young man who cared for stray cats
Mehdi Jafari, 23, was shot in the back and killed on January 9 in Khaniabad,
Witnesses said security forces prevented bystanders from helping the
wounded. His family believes he could have survived had he reached a hospital
in time.
Mehdi was known for his humor, kindness, and love of animals. He regularly
fed stray cats and rescued injured ones. His body was later found in Kahrizak.
The family was forced to bury him quietly, without a public funeral.
Sepehr Ebrahimi
The young boxer who “fought for his dreams”
Sepehr Ebrahimi, 19, was killed during protests in
Concerned for his safety, his mother believed he had gone to the gym.
Instead, he joined the protests. The family heard nothing for seven days before
locating his body.
An amateur boxer, Sepehr trained relentlessly. In one video, he wrote:
“A man who does not fight has no right to wish.”
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