Siavash Shirza
Siavash Shirzad died from direct gunshot wounds inflicted by Iranian government security forces during the protest.
According to human rights organizations monitoring the protests, Iranian security forces — including units of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and state law enforcement — used live ammunition against unarmed demonstrators in Tehran on the evening of 8 January 2026. Siavash was shot during these clashes. Reports indicate that security forces shot protesters multiple times in various neighbourhoods, and many victims, including Siavash, succumbed to their injuries either at the scene or shortly afterward in hospital. Restrictions on information and a communications blackout have made independent verification challenging, but multiple credible human rights sources document such incidents as part of a widespread pattern of excessive force.
Biography
Siavash Shirzad was a 38-year-old Kurdish man originally from Bukan in Iran’s West Azerbaijan Province. He lived in Tehran, where he joined widespread anti-government demonstrations on 8 January 2026 amid a nationwide movement against political repression and socioeconomic hardship. During these protests in Tehran, Siavash was shot and killed by live ammunition fired by Iranian security forces. His family later buried him in Tazeh Qaleh village near Bukan under heavy pressure and surveillance from authorities. Siavash was married and a father, and his death has been cited by human rights organisations as part of the broader pattern of lethal force used against unarmed demonstrators.
Born and raised in Bukan, Siavash moved to Tehran for work and life, like many from Kurdish regions seeking economic opportunities in the capital. At 38, he was married and the father of one child. When anti-government demonstrations erupted across Iran in late December 2025 and escalated in early January 2026, Siavash joined protesters on 8 January in Tehran — a day that became one of the deadliest in the crackdown. Eyewitness accounts and human rights groups report that security forces, including the Islamic Republic’s law enforcement and Revolutionary Guard units, opened live fire on crowds, killing multiple protesters including Siavash. Following his death, his family encountered obstacles in retrieving his body; it was ultimately buried in Tazeh Qaleh village near Bukan under close supervision by authorities.
Additional Information
Sources & References
Five Kurdish people — Golaleh Mahmoudi Azar from Mahabad, Zahra Moradi and Siavash Shirzad from Bukan, Erfan Alizadeh from Lumar in Sirvan County, and Ali Abbasi from Gilan-e Gharb (Gilan) — were killed in Tehran after being shot directly by Iranian government forces during protests in the city.1 hengaw.net Open source
Siavash Shirzad, a 38-year-old father of one, was told by his family not to join the protests in Tehran’s Punak Square on 8 January because of the dangers3 theguardian.com Open source