Eight Gilaks among newly identified protest victims

Hengaw - Monday, January 19, 2026

Eight Gilak individuals were killed by Iranian government forces during recent protests in Bandar Anzali, Khoshkebijar, Lahijan, Langarud, Rasht, and Astaneh Ashrafieh in Gilan Province, as well as Babol in Mazandaran Province, according to information obtained by Hengaw Organization for Human Rights. 

With these newly verified cases, the number of Gilak individuals whose identities have been documented and published by Hengaw has reached 47.

Eshaq Qanbarnia, from Khoshkebijar and the father of two young children, was killed after being struck in the heart by live ammunition fired by Iranian government forces during protests in the city on the evening of Friday, January 9, 2026.

Abbas Arezu, from the coastal village of Chaf in Langarud County, was also killed by Iranian government forces during protests in the area on Friday, January 9, 2026. Sources said he was locally known as the “son of the sea” and was a football enthusiast.

Arash Hassani, aged 34 and from Bandar Anzali, was killed by Iranian government forces during protests in the city on Thursday, January 8, 2026. Hengaw has learned that he was killed only one year after his marriage.

Milad Mianehkhah, aged 30 and also from Bandar Anzali, died after being struck in the heart by live ammunition during protests in the city on Thursday, January 8, 2026.

Emad Shoush, from Lahijan and a member of a justice-seeking family, was killed by Iranian government forces during protests in the city on Thursday, January 8, 2026, after being hit by four bullets.

According to information received by Hengaw, he was the brother of Ali Shoush, a poet, theatre actor, and musician who was killed during the “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement in Isfahan in 2022. Emad Shoush had also been detained previously during that same movement.

Erfan Azordeh, aged 20 and from Babol, was killed by Iranian government forces during protests in the city after being struck by four bullets to the head and one to the leg.

Omid Norouzi, aged 35 and from Rasht, was killed after being struck in the head by live ammunition fired by Iranian government forces during protests on Namjoo Street in Rasht. A source told Hengaw that he had returned to Iran from Istanbul for a visit.

Parsa Abyazi, aged 20 and from the town of Kumeleh in Langarud County, was killed by Iranian government forces during protests in Astaneh Ashrafieh. Hengaw has learned that his body was buried at night in Langarud without any public ceremony.