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Sajad Rahimi, a 36-year-old vocational school teacher and computer engineer from Qeshm, was killed during nationwide anti-government protests in Marvdasht, Fars province, on January 9, 2026. Originally from Marvdasht and a member of the Baseri tribe, Sajad was on leave in his hometown when the protests erupted. He decided to participate on his last night home before returning to Qeshm.
On the evening of January 9, 2026, Sajad was shot with live ammunition by Islamic Republic security forces. Fearing a "coup de grace" by authorities, he instructed his friends not to take him directly to the hospital but to inform his family first. His family then transferred him to the hospital, but he died from severe bleeding due to a deep wound. According to a doctor, he might have survived if he had arrived at the hospital just ten minutes earlier.
Due to his father's respected position as a tribal elder, authorities agreed to release Sajad's body under strict conditions. The family was required to hold a burial with only a limited number of close relatives and to publicly state that Sajad had been killed by "terrorists." While the family accepted the burial restrictions, they refused to make false statements about the perpetrators. Consequently, Sajad was buried under heavy security, with his mother and other family members forced to observe from a distance. His brother, Parviz, noted that there were two other unidentified graves near Sajad's, likely belonging to other victims.
Sajad's family has since faced intense pressure from security agencies, receiving threats and summons for attempting to mourn freely, mention his name, or hold memorial ceremonies. His brother described him as "a kind, compassionate, and courageous young man who, like many others, sought freedom, human dignity, and prosperity for the people of Iran. He protested against inequality, corruption and systematic discrimination." The family is forced to carry their grief in silence and fear.