Six more women, one pregnant, killed in Iran’s crackdown
Hengaw – Friday, January 17, 2026
Six women, including three Gilaks, were killed by live ammunition fired by Iranian government forces during recent protests in Rasht, Lahijan, and Langarud in Gilan Province, as well as in Nishapur, Baghdaran in Isfahan Province, and Tehran. With these newly verified cases, the total number of women killed during the protests has risen to 26.
According to information obtained by Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, Sholeh Sotoudeh, a pregnant woman from Langarud, was killed along with her unborn child on the evening of January 10, 2026, after being shot by Iranian government forces during protests in the city of Chaf. Informed sources report that she was also the mother of two young children.
In Rasht, Sara Behboodi, a 45-year-old mountaineer, was killed when Iranian government forces opened direct fire on protesters. She had previously climbed major peaks, including Mount Kamal (3,700 meters) in East Azerbaijan Province and Mount Shah Moallem (3,050 meters) in Gilan Province.
Ziba Dastjerdi, aged 33, was killed by Iranian government forces during demonstrations in Nishapur. She was reportedly shot in front of her young daughter.
Sources state that Dastjerdi had earlier been sentenced to 18 months in prison in 2022 for her civil activities and had recently received an additional one-year prison sentence. Her latest case was pending review at the appellate court at the time of her death.
Zahra Bagheri, a married mother of three from Baghdaran in Isfahan Province, was killed after being struck in the head by gunfire from Iranian government forces during protests at Dorbat Square on Thursday, January 8, 2026. A source told Hengaw that Bagheri’s daughter and son-in-law were also seriously wounded, and that her son-in-law suffered spinal cord injuries.
In Lahijan, Sanam Pourbabayi, a violin instructor from Siahkal, was killed after Iranian government forces opened fire near the Lahijan Governorate. She was known as an active figure in the field of music education. Her body was buried at the “Bogheh Barfjan” shrine in Siahkal.
Aida Aghili, a 34-year-old resident of Tehran, was also killed after being shot in the head by Iranian government forces. According to informed sources, her body was later located at the Kahrizak morgue following an extensive search among thousands of victims.
