Sam Afshari
Sam Afshari was killed in connection with Iran’s January 2026 protest crackdown. He had joined demonstrations in Karaj calling for political change and greater freedoms. According to his father and witness accounts, he was shot during the protests and later fatally shot again while hospitalized.
According to reporting by Iran International, Sam was first shot from behind on January 8, 2026, near Mehran Square in the Azimieh district of Karaj. He was taken to Madani Hospital in critical condition with a gunshot wound to the back of his head.
Witnesses told his family that he was still conscious at the hospital and responding to medical staff. His father, Parviz Afshari, alleges that security forces later entered the hospital and fired a final shot into the back of his head while he was intubated. The second bullet reportedly exited through his face, causing severe destruction and making identification difficult.
He was later found in a body bag at the morgue on January 11, 2026.
Biography
Sam Afshari was a 17-year-old student from Karaj, born in 2008, who was studying computer networks and hoped to pursue higher education abroad. Described by his father as cheerful, ambitious, and full of dreams, Sam joined protests in Karaj on January 8, 2026, calling for freedom and democracy. He was shot from behind during the demonstrations and taken to hospital, where his father alleges he was fatally shot again by security forces. His death became part of a growing list of teenagers killed during Iran’s protest crackdown.
Sam was born in 2008 in Karaj and had just turned 17 weeks before his death. He was studying computer networking and had plans to study computer engineering at university, possibly abroad. His father, speaking from Germany, said Sam was preparing documents to continue his education internationally.
Family members described him as humorous, optimistic, and deeply engaged in conversations about the future. He frequently spoke with his father via video calls about his ambitions.
On January 8, 2026, Sam joined protests near Mehran Square in Karaj’s Azimieh district. Witnesses reported that he was shot from behind near a security police post. Residents attempted to shelter him, but security forces reportedly took him away. He was transported to Madani Hospital along with other injured protesters.
According to hospital witnesses cited by his father, Sam was conscious when doctors asked his name. Hours later, he was declared dead. His family searched hospitals and morgues before locating his name at Beheshte Sakineh morgue in Karaj. Due to the severity of facial injuries, his mother initially could not recognize him and confirmed his identity only after officials uncovered a chest tattoo reading “Mother.”
Authorities allegedly attempted to enforce a quiet nighttime burial in a remote area. After negotiations, the family buried him at Kalak-
Pleas of Surviving Relatives and Family if any
“This is no longer the time for my tears. Now I feel rage,” said Sam's father Parvis Afshari. “If nothing happens, the blood of our children will be trampled. Our people—90 million human beings—are now hostages. Hostages of the Islamic Republic.”
“My son could have built the future of the country, this regime is just killing kids who are asking for freedom,” said Parviz, sobbing. “It isn’t fair.”
Additional Information
Sources & References
'They finished him off': father recounts hospital killing of teen protester1 iranintl.com Open source
These are messages written by 17-year-old Iranian protester Sam Afshari — words that now feel like heartbreaking foreshadowing. He told friends he had a feeling he might die soon. He even said he had dreamed of his own grave.2 x.com Open source
Iranian regime pressures families of slain protesters to bury truth of crackdown3 edition.cnn.com Open source