Mojtaba Veisi
Mojtaba Veisi had been living in hiding after facing security pressure and fears of arrest following protests and his involvement in Kurdish cultural and community activities. In the early hours of 28 May 2026, IRGC forces reportedly identified the location where he and his brother were staying in Qal'eh Kahoush village. Around 4:00 a.m., security personnel allegedly surrounded the house and opened heavy fire from several directions without prior warning. Sources cited by IranWire and human rights groups state that the intensity of the attack was such that Mojtaba and his brother were killed within the opening moments of the assault. Reports further indicate that the brothers did not survive long enough to leave the residence or surrender.
Mojtaba Veisi died from gunfire during an armed raid carried out by IRGC forces in the early morning hours of 28 May 2026. Reports indicate that security forces surrounded the residence where he was staying and opened fire on the building from multiple directions. He and his brother were reportedly killed at the scene shortly after the shooting began.
Biography
Mojtaba Veisi was a Kurdish cultural and civil activist from Kermanshah Province and a follower of the Yarsan faith. He was known for promoting Kurdish language, literature, and cultural identity. Together with his brother Meysam Veisi, he helped establish a Kurdish library in the Dareh-Derizh area and participated in organizing Kurdish cultural events, including local Nowruz celebrations. He also had a reputation within the regional wrestling community and was regarded by supporters as a respected cultural figure.
Mojtaba Veisi devoted much of his public life to cultural, educational, and community activities in Kermanshah Province. As a member of the Yarsan religious community, he advocated for cultural preservation and Kurdish-language education. Alongside his brother Meysam, he co-founded a community library intended to encourage reading, cultural awareness, and the preservation of Kurdish heritage. Over the years, he reportedly faced repeated scrutiny and pressure from security authorities because of his activism and community engagement. In March 2025, he was arrested by security forces in Kermanshah and later released on bail after approximately twenty-five days in detention. Following nationwide protests in January 2026 and what relatives described as increasing threats from security agencies, he reportedly went into hiding in rural areas of Dalahu. Despite these circumstances, family members and supporters described him primarily as a cultural activist dedicated to his community rather than a member of any political or military organization
Pleas of Surviving Relatives and Family if any
In an open letter reported by IranWire, the Veisi family appealed for their sons to be remembered as cultural and civil activists rather than political or military figures. The family stated that Mojtaba and Meysam were not members of any political party, organization, or armed group and rejected claims that they belonged to any such movement. They described the killing of their sons as contrary to legal, humanitarian, and civil principles and argued that no individual should face violent elimination because of their ideas or cultural and social activities
Additional Information
Mojtaba Veisi had been living in hiding after facing security pressure and fears of arrest following protests and his involvement in Kurdish cultural and community activities. In the early hours of 28 May 2026, IRGC forces reportedly identified the location where he and his brother were staying in Qal’eh Kahoush village. Around 4:00 a.m., security personnel allegedly surrounded the house and opened heavy fire from several directions without prior warning. Sources cited by IranWire and human rights groups state that the intensity of the attack was such that Mojtaba and his brother were killed within the opening moments of the assault. Reports further indicate that the brothers did not survive long enough to leave the residence or surrender.
Sources & References
Veisi Brothers: New Details on Their Life and Death1 iranwire.com Open source
Dalaho; Killing of two Kurdish Yarsan brothers after months of being pursued following the Dey protests Mojtaba Veisi and Meysam Veisi2 kurdpa.net Open source