Sina Ashkbousi

Their life

Sina Ashkbousi was a 17-year-old Iranian high-school student from Tehran. Described by family members as shy, gentle, and academically talented, he joined protests with his parents believing the demonstrations would be peaceful. On January 8, 2026, during protests in eastern Tehran, he was shot by state security forces and later died from his injuries. His killing became one of the earliest documented deaths of the January 2026 protest crackdown.

Born and raised in Tehran, Sina Ashkbousi was known within his family as a thoughtful and hopeful teenager with strong academic performance. He reportedly had interests in literature and popular culture and was described as optimistic about the protest movement. On the night protests erupted in January 2026, Sina stood near the front of demonstrators. When gunfire began, he was separated from his family. He was later found fatally wounded and transferred to hospital, where he died. His body was withheld from the family for several days, and relatives were pressured to remain silent during burial arrangements—an experience commonly reported by families of protest victims.

How they died

Sina Ashkbousi was killed during nationwide protests against the Islamic Republic of Iran. He was participating in demonstrations on the first day of mass protests (January 8, 2026) when Iranian security forces opened fire on protesters using live ammunition.

Sina was shot with live bullets during crowd suppression by security forces. The injuries were severe and ultimately fatal despite hospital transfer. His death fits a documented pattern of lethal force used against unarmed protesters, including minors, during the January 2026 demonstrations.

Why we remember them

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

References & sources