Reza Kavousi

Reza Kavousi was born around 2009 and was a Kurmanj Kurdish teenager from Quchan in Razavi Khorasan Province. Seeking employment opportunities, he had moved to Karaj, where he worked as a mechanic’s apprentice. On Thursday, January 8, 2026, amid widespread protests across Iran, demonstrations took place in the Shahin Vila area of Karaj. According to reports, repression forces opened fire, and Reza was struck directly in the chest by live ammunition, resulting in his death.

Following the incident, reports state that security forces pressured his family during the process of handing over his body, allegedly requesting that they identify him as a member of the Basij militia. The family reportedly refused. It was further reported that a significant sum of money was taken from the family in exchange for releasing his body. His remains were eventually transferred to Quchan, where he was buried under conditions reportedly involving security oversight and imposed restrictions.