Aylar Haghi

Their life

Aylar Haghi (1999 – November 16, 2022) was an Iranian medical student who became a symbol of resistance and martyrdom after being killed by Iranian security forces during the 2022 protests in Tabriz. Born in Malekan, East Azerbaijan, she was a fourth-year medical student at Tabriz Azad University when the protests erupted following the death of Mahsa Amini. Aylar participated in the anti-government protests, demanding greater freedoms and an end to government repression. On November 16, 2022, she was shot in the back of the head by security forces while attempting to escape the violence, and her body was later thrown from a high-rise building. The Iranian government initially attempted to cover up her death, claiming she had committed suicide, but her family rejected this narrative. Her funeral and memorial ceremonies turned into significant protests, with citizens chanting anti-government slogans. Aylar's killing sparked further protests in East Azerbaijan and beyond, highlighting the widespread anger against the Iranian regime.

Early Life and Education: Aylar Haghi was born in 1999 in Malekan, a city in the East Azerbaijan province of Iran. She came from an Azerbaijani family and later moved to Tabriz, a larger city in the region. Aylar was an ambitious student and was pursuing a medical degree at Tabriz Azad University, where she was in her fourth year of studies at the time of her death. She was known for her activism and participation in the growing protests against the Iranian government in 2022, a year marked by widespread demonstrations calling for greater freedoms and rights.

The 2022 Protests and Her Death: The protests in Iran, ignited by the death of Mahsa Amini in September 2022, sparked an uprising that saw Iranians from all walks of life, particularly women and youth, demanding an end to state repression and the end of discriminatory laws. Aylar, as a student and an active participant in the protests, joined the demonstrations in Tabriz on November 16, 2022. During the protest, security forces violently suppressed the demonstrators. In an attempt to escape the violence, Aylar took refuge in a nearby building. Security officers followed her into the building and shot her in the back of the head. Afterward, her body was thrown from a high-rise building, leading to a dispute over the circumstances of her death.

Government Cover-Up: The Iranian government initially attempted to cover up Aylar's death by claiming that she had fallen from the building in an act of suicide. This narrative was pushed by security agents, who pressured her family to accept the government's version of events. When Aylar's family refused to endorse the suicide story, her father, Rajab Haghi, was detained by the authorities. They also withheld Aylar's body for two days, further pressuring the family.

Despite the government's efforts to suppress the truth, her family insisted that her death was the result of state violence. Iranian media outlets published a video that claimed to show Aylar falling from a building, but the footage was inconclusive, and the woman in the video could not be identified.

Burial and Protests: The government's attempt to keep Aylar's funeral quiet failed, as news spread about her death. The funeral took place on November 18, 2022, at the Vadi-e Rahmat cemetery in Tabriz, where a large crowd gathered to mourn her and protest against the Iranian regime. During the ceremony, attendees chanted slogans such as "We are all Aylar, the struggle continues" and "Freedom, justice, national government." The security forces intervened, violently dispersing the crowd and arresting several individuals.

On December 27, 2022, the 40-day memorial ceremony for Aylar was held, attracting more protesters who voiced their opposition to the government. During this ceremony, chants like "Azerbaijan doesn’t sleep, Aylar's blood does not go in vain" and "Death to the dictator" filled the air. Once again, security forces intervened, resulting in confrontations, and Aylar's parents, along with other participants, were arrested.

Legacy: Aylar Haghi's death became a catalyst for further protests in East Azerbaijan province, especially in Tabriz, Binab, and Malekan. Medical students at Tabriz Azad University also organized demonstrations in her memory. On November 28, 2022, a flash mob was organized in Azerbaijan to honor those fighting for women's rights in Iran, including Aylar, Hadis Najafi, and Asra Panahi. The flash mob featured images of Aylar and other slain protesters, accompanied by the message, "We know, we are with you!"

Her death and the subsequent protests led to a wave of solidarity from citizens across Iran and beyond. On February 20, 2023, slogans such as "Aylar Haghi" and "You can erase our slogans from walls, not the traces of blood" appeared on the streets of Tabriz, signifying the continued resistance to the regime and the lasting impact of her martyrdom.

Aylar's killing served as a powerful reminder of the brutality faced by those who challenge the Iranian government's oppressive policies. Her legacy endures in the ongoing fight for women's rights and freedom in Iran. Through her death, Aylar Haghi remains an enduring symbol of resistance and a rallying cry for justice, freedom, and equality.

How they died

killed by Iranian security forces during the 2022 protests in Tabriz, Iran.

Additional context

killed by Iranian security forces during the 2022 protests in Tabriz, Iran.

Why we remember them

This record exists so that Aylar Haghi, and all who are named in this archive, are never reduced to a number.

References & sources