Mehdi Mousavi

Their life

Mehdi Mousavi was a 16-year-old boy from Zanjan, in northwest Iran, who was killed during nationwide protests following the death of Mahsa Amini in September 2022. He was shot by security forces while participating in a street demonstration and later died in hospital. His killing occurred amid a violent crackdown on protests led largely by women and young people.

Mehdi Mousavi was a teenager living in the city of Zanjan and the son of Ismaeil Mousavi. Like many young people across Iran, he joined public protests that erupted after the death of Mahsa Amini while in morality-police custody. On September 21, 2022, large crowds gathered in Zanjan, beginning at Saadi Junction and later spreading across the city. Security forces responded with tear gas, batons, and live fire. Mehdi was injured during the protest and taken to hospital, where he later died. Following his death, authorities placed heavy pressure on his family, restricting funeral attendance and warning them against publicly attributing responsibility to state forces.

How they died

Gunshot injuries sustained during a protest.

Iranian security forces fired directly at demonstrators during the protest in Zanjan. Mehdi Mousavi was shot during the crackdown and collapsed at the scene. He was subsequently beaten by security personnel before being transferred to hospital, where he later died from his injuries. His death occurred as part of a broader pattern of lethal force used against protesters during the September 2022 unrest.

Why we remember them

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

References & sources