Reza Moradi Abdolvand

Their life

Reza Moradi Abdolvand was an 18-year-old Iranian civilian from Azna, in Lorestan Province, who died after being shot by Iranian security forces during the 2025–2026 nationwide protests. He sustained critical gunshot wounds on 1 January 2026, fell into a coma, and died several days later in hospital. His death was one of multiple civilian killings reported in Azna during the protest crackdown and drew attention to the use of live ammunition against unarmed demonstrators.

Reza Moradi Abdolvand was born into a financially struggling family in Azna, Lorestan Province, Iran. He belonged to the Abdolvand tribe and was the eldest child in his family. Due to economic hardship, Reza reportedly dropped out of school at a young age and began working to support his household. He was employed in automobile body repair work and was known to have an interest in sports.

On 1 January 2026, amid widespread protests against inflation, poverty, and government mismanagement, Reza was present near a police station in Azna. According to multiple reports, Iranian security forces opened fire on protesters using live ammunition. Reza was shot twice—once in the head and once in the side—causing catastrophic injuries. He was transferred to Valian Hospital in Aligudarz, where he fell into a coma and was admitted to the intensive care unit.

During his hospitalization, security forces reportedly restricted access to his hospital room, allowing only his mother to visit him briefly. After four days in critical condition, Reza Moradi Abdolvand died on 5 January 2026. Following his death, authorities seized his body and refused to return it to his family despite repeated requests. His family also reported being pressured to falsely claim that he was affiliated with the Basij militia.

How they died

Gunshot wounds inflicted by Iranian security forces.

Reza Moradi Abdolvand died from severe gunshot injuries, having been shot twice by Iranian security forces—once in the head and once in the side—while protesting. The injuries caused him to fall into a coma, and despite intensive medical treatment, he succumbed to his wounds after four days in hospital.

A plea from the family

Reza Moradi Abdolvand’s family reported that authorities seized his body after his death and refused to return it despite appeals to the police and the Revolutionary Guards. The family also stated that they were pressured to announce that Reza was affiliated with the Basij militia, a claim they disputed. These actions were described as attempts to suppress public mourning and obscure the circumstances of his killing

Why we remember them

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

References & sources