Young Gilak man, Sahil Nasiri, shot dead by police at Zibakenar Beach

Hengaw: Saturday, May 3, 2025

Sahil Nasiri, a young Gilak man from the town of Zibakenar in Gilan Province, was shot dead in the head by Islamic Republic police forces following a verbal altercation over the confiscation of a motorcycle. The incident occurred at Zibakenar Beach, where Nasiri was targeted and killed.

According to a report received by the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, on the evening of Friday, May 2, 2025, 19-year-old Sahil Nasiri, a resident of Chonchenan in Zibakenar, was shot twice in the head at close range by police forces, resulting in his death.

Sources familiar with the case stated that police forces approached Nasiri and his friend, Benyamin Gholami, at Zibakenar Beach for a body search and attempted to confiscate their motorcycle. When Nasiri resisted and tried to prevent the confiscation by getting on the motorcycle, officers opened fire and killed him.

His body was transferred to the local police station that same night, and his friend was taken into custody.

This extrajudicial killing sparked widespread outrage among residents of Zibakenar, leading to public protests and the burning of banners placed on the police station. The demonstrations were eventually suppressed after a violent crackdown by special forces.

Following hours of collective protests by locals, Nasiri’s body was finally handed over to his family—only after they were subjected to threats and warnings. He was buried on Saturday in his hometown.