Shehla Kakaei shot dead by Iranian forces during Kermanshah protests; Husband dies by suicide days later

Hengaw – Monday, January 26, 2026

Shehla Kakaei, a resident of Kermanshah originally from Javanrud, was shot and killed by Iranian government forces during protests in the city. Her husband, Mehdi (Khabat) Kakaei, who was also injured in the same incident, died by suicide days later, overwhelmed by the trauma of losing his wife.

According to information obtained by the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, government forces opened fire near the couple’s home on the evening of Thursday, January 8, 2026, killing Shehla Kakaei in front of her house. She was originally from Qalaji village in the Kalashi district of Javanrud. Her husband was wounded during the shooting and transferred to hospital.

Sources said the couple, who were cousins, had been on their way to a hospital when they were targeted by gunfire. Shehla was killed instantly, while Mehdi sustained serious injuries. After being discharged from hospital, and struggling with the psychological impact of his wife’s killing, Mehdi took his own life.

Security agencies prevented Shehla Kakaei’s body from being transferred to Javanrud and blocked her burial in the city, imposing strict restrictions on funeral arrangements. Mehdi Kakaei was buried on Tuesday, January 21, at the Haji Ebrahim Cemetery in Javanrud, under heavy security presence.

In the same context, a local Telegram channel dedicated to publishing death notices in Javanrud posted an announcement on January 23 reporting the death of Mehdi Kakaei, referring to him only as the “husband of the late Shehla Kakaei.” The post stated that he died on January 20 and that his mourning ceremony was held on January 22, without making any reference to the circumstances surrounding Shehla Kakaei’s killing.