Killing of Shayan Asadollahi
Shayan Asadollahi | |
|---|---|
| شایان اسدالهی | |
| Born | 1997 |
| Died | December 31, 2025 (aged 28) |
| Known for | killed by Islamic Republic of Iran in the 2025–2026 Iranian protests |
Shayan Asadollahi (c. 1997 – December 31, 2025) was an Iranian protester who was shot dead by security forces during a protest in Iran.[1][2]
Background
Starting on 28 December 2025, widespread protests erupted across Iran amid a deepening economic crisis and growing public frustration with government corruption,[3] and demands for the end of the regime.[4][5] The protests were Initially triggered by soaring inflation, skyrocketing food prices, and the Iranian rial's sharp depreciation,[3] but quickly expanded into a broader movement demanding political change and the end of the Islamic Republic, with slogans like "Death to the Dictator", referring to supreme leader Ali Khamenei,[5] and "Long live the Shah", referring to Reza Pahlavi.[6][7][8][5] The demonstrations began in Tehran's Grand Bazaar, and spread to universities and major cities including Isfahan, Shiraz, and Mashhad,[9] drawing students and merchants alike, many of whom cited government corruption, mismanagement, and prioritization of foreign conflicts over domestic needs as major grievances.[10] The economic crisis, worsened by the 2025 conflict with Israel, reimposed UN sanctions, chronic inflation (42.2% in December),[9] and food and health price surges of 50–72%,[9] left merchants struggling to trade and households struggling to survive. Calls for reform grew alongside outrage over energy shortages, water crises, and civil rights abuses,[6] and by early January 2026, dozens of protesters had been arrested, with reports of security forces firing live ammunition directly at demonstrators.[5]
Personal life
Shayan Asadollahi was a barber, aged 28 at the time of his death,[11][12] from Azna County, Lorestan province.[1] He was of Lur ethnicity, according to Hengaw.[13]
Killing
Asadollahi was killed[14] by direct gunfire from security forces (including IRGC pickup trucks) while returning from a protest. He was shot in the abdomen with live ammunition. He was one of three protesters killed in Azna that evening, alongside a 15-year-old teenager (Mostafa) and Vahab Musavi/Ghaedi.[1][15][13]
See also
References
- ^ a b c Three protesters, including a child, killed as Iranian forces open fire in Azna, Hengaw, 1 January 2026, Wikidata Q137659439, archived from the original on 1 January 2026
- ^ Danaher, Caitlin; Salem, Mostafa. "A student, a bodybuilder and a father of three among those killed during protests in Iran". CNN.
- ^ a b Parent, Deepa; Christou, William (2025-12-31). "'We want the mullahs gone': economic crisis sparks biggest protests in Iran since 2022". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2026-01-01.
- ^ "Videos show monarchist, anti-clerical slogans in Hamadan, Arak, Sabzevar". Iran International. 2025-12-31. Retrieved 2026-01-05.
- ^ a b c d Azizi, Arash (2026-01-01). "Iranians Have Had Enough". The Atlantic. Retrieved 2026-01-05.
- ^ a b Northam, Jackie (2025-12-31). "Protesters take to the streets of Iran as the country's economy collapses". NPR. Retrieved 2026-01-01.
- ^ "Protesters in Isfahan chant 'death to the dictator'". Iran International. 2025-12-30. Retrieved 2026-01-04.
- ^ "'Iran's future belongs to its youth,' US State Department says". www.iranintl.com. 2025-12-31. Retrieved 2026-01-04.
- ^ a b c "Protests erupt in Iran over currency's plunge to record low". AP News. 29 December 2025. Retrieved 30 December 2025.
- ^ Iran crisis deepens – protests spread with chants of "death to the dictator". BBC News. 2025. Retrieved 31 December 2025.
- ^ "Security forces open direct fire on protesters in western Iran's Hamedan". Iran International. 2026-01-01. Archived from the original on 2026-01-05. Retrieved 2026-01-05.
- ^ "Mass killings reported as security forces use live fire on Iran protesters". Iran International.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ a b Hengaw special report – At least 17 people killed during the first week of protests in Iran, Hengaw, 3 January 2026, Wikidata Q137682759, archived from the original on 3 January 2026
- ^ "December 2025 Iran Uprising: A Comprehensive Report on State Repression". Iran Human Rights Monitor. 2026-01-02. Retrieved 2026-01-05.
- ^ "Iran protests hit deadliest day as unrest spreads to clerical stronghold Qom". Iran International. 2026-01-01. Retrieved 2026-01-05.