Two Kurdish men, Ardeshir Zarei and Mohammad Seidi, shot dead by Iranian forces in Saveh and Karaj

Hengaw – Wednesday, January 14, 2026

Two Kurdish men—Ardeshir Zarei and Mohammad Seidi—were killed by direct gunfire from Iranian government forces during public protests in the cities of Saveh and Karaj, 

Hengaw Organization for Human Rights has confirmed that both men were shot dead by government forces during protest-related incidents on the evening of Thursday, January 8, 2026.

Ardeshir Zarei (40), a Yarsani Kurdish man from Darvit village in Dalahu County, Kermanshah Province, and a father of three, was killed in Saveh. Informed sources told Hengaw that Zarei, who suffered from heart disease, was shot directly in the head by Iranian forces while visiting a pharmacy in the city.

Hengaw has learned that Zarei’s burial ceremony is scheduled to be held on January 14, 2026, in his home village.

In a separate incident, Mohammad Seidi, a Kurdish man originally from Sarpol-e Zahab, was killed by government gunfire in Karaj on the same evening.

According to informed sources, Seidi—who was the primary provider for his family—had moved from Sarpol-e Zahab to Karaj several years ago along with his three sisters, due to financial hardship.