Fahimeh Najjar-Ajam
Fahimeh was killed during nationwide protests on the night of January 8, 2026, in Azadshahr, Golestan province. She had joined demonstrators calling for political and social freedoms when security forces opened fire on crowds near the IRGC headquarters.
According to testimony reported by IranWire, security forces began firing machine guns as protesters approached Gorgan Street near the local IRGC base.
Initially, her sister believed Fahimeh had been struck in the leg. However, once they were inside a vehicle rushing to hospital, it became clear she had sustained a fatal gunshot wound. Because she was dressed in black, the extent of the bleeding was not immediately visible. She died shortly after being placed in a vehicle for transport, before effective medical treatment could be provided.
Biography
Fahimeh Najjar-Ajam was a 29-year-old accounting graduate from Azadshahr in Golestan province. On January 8, 2026, she joined protests calling for freedom and political change. As demonstrators moved toward the IRGC headquarters, security forces opened fire with live ammunition. Fahimeh was fatally shot and died that night. Her body was released to her family a week later, and she was buried quietly at dawn under security restrictions. Family members later reported pressure from authorities to label her a “martyr” killed by terrorists rather than by state forces.
Fahimeh was described by relatives as brave, determined, and full of ambition. She had graduated in accounting and helped her brother in his pastry shop. For several years, she had been preparing to emigrate and had written down her dreams, posting them on the walls of her room as motivation.
On the night of January 8, she and her sister joined protesters in Azadshahr. Her sister reportedly urged caution, warning that security forces were dangerous. Fahimeh replied that at worst she might be hit by birdshot and insisted on staying with the crowd, even giving her scarf to help bandage another injured protester.
As the crowd approached the IRGC headquarters, machine-gun fire erupted. She was struck by a live round. Her sister only realized the severity of the wound once she felt blood covering her hands inside the car transporting her to hospital.
Her body was not immediately released. After approximately one week, it was handed over to the family. Authorities reportedly prohibited a public funeral. She was buried at 6:00 a.m., in darkness, with only about ten close family members present.
Additional Information
Sources & References
Iranian regime pressures families of slain protesters to bury truth of crackdown1 edition.cnn.com Open source
She Was Someone’s Sister: Three Women Killed in Iran’s January Protests2 iranwire.com Open source