Mojtaba Tarshiz

Their life

Mojtaba Tarshiz was an Iranian footballer who previously played for several professional clubs, including Tractor Tabriz and Nassaji Mazandaran. He was killed during nationwide protests in Iran in early January 2026, after being shot in the city of Qaemshahr in Mazandaran province. His death occurred amid a violent crackdown on demonstrators, raising serious concerns about the targeting of civilians and athletes during the unrest.

Mojtaba Tarshiz was a former professional Iranian football player who had represented multiple clubs across the country, including Tractor Tabriz, Nassaji Mazandaran, Fajr Sepasi Shiraz, and Mes Kerman. After retiring from top-level football, he lived with his family in northern Iran.

During the wave of protests that erupted across Iran following severe economic pressure and political repression, Tarshiz was present in Qaemshahr when security forces confronted demonstrators. According to local and human rights sources, live ammunition was used against protesters. Mojtaba Tarshiz was shot during these events and later died from his injuries. His killing became one of several reported deaths of athletes during the unrest, prompting criticism from former national team players and renewed scrutiny of Iran’s human rights record.

How they died

He was killed during anti-government protests, amid a violent response by security forces to public demonstrations.

Mojtaba Tarshiz was shot with live ammunition during protest-related violence in Qaemshahr. The gunshot injuries proved fatal. Iranian authorities did not provide an official explanation or transparent investigation into the shooting, which has been widely cited as part of a broader pattern of lethal force used against unarmed demonstrators.

Why we remember them

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

References & sources