At least 12 killed, including seven Kurds, during protests in Esfarayen

Hengaw — Wednesday, January 28, 2026

Iranian government forces killed at least 12 individuals during protests in the city of Esfarayen, North Khorasan Province, after opening fire with live ammunition. Those killed include one minor, two women, and two university students. The killings occurred over two days, January 8 and 9, 2026, amid widespread demonstrations in the city.

According to information received by Hengaw Organization for Human Rights and verified by its fact-checking team, the victims included seven Kurdish individuals and two Turkish individuals.The ethnic identity of the remaining three individuals could not be independently confirmed at the time of reporting.

Protest timeline and use of force

Based on verified information, protests on January 8 began at around 6:40 p.m. with a large gathering on Imam Reza Street, later spreading to Taleghani, Foroumandi, and Moallem streets, as well as Khomeini Square. Iranian government forces ambushed protesters near Basirat School and launched a violent crackdown.

After additional forces were deployed from Bojnord, Sabzevar, and Safiabad at around 11:00 p.m., protesters were met with intensified repression and the use of military-grade weapons, including DShK heavy machine guns and Kalashnikov rifles. During the protests on the night of January 8 alone, at least 11 individuals and two members of the government forces were killed, and many protesters were injured.

One additional individual was killed during protests on January 9, bringing the total number of those killed to at least twelve.

Those killed on the evening of Thursday, January 8, 2026:

Ali-Asghar Khodadadi, a 19-year-old architecture student from Esfarayen, was shot twice in the heart with live ammunition near the police station on Hammam-e Shahrdari Alley and died from his injuries. His body was buried three days later, on January 11, under heavy security restrictions.

Mohammad Pouya Karimi-Abadi, a 17-year-old minor from Esfarayen, was shot with live ammunition at the beginning of Esfarayeni Street and was killed.

Pouya Ostadi, a 29-year-old from Esfarayen, was killed after Iranian government forces shot him three times in the jaw, head, and chest near the city’s police station.

Anis Garivani, a Turkish individual from Esfarayen, was killed by direct gunfire from Iranian government forces. His body was buried in the village of Chaharborj.

Fatemeh Soltani, a Kurdish woman from Esfarayen, was killed after Iranian government forces shot her during the protests. Hours before her death, she wrote in her final Instagram story: “Tonight I am going out for my children, because they deserve a good life.”

Abbas Zeynali, a Kurdish individual from Esfarayen, was killed after Iranian government forces shot him with live ammunition in the pelvic area during the takeover of the governor’s office and courthouse.

Rasoul Jafari, a 21-year-old Kurdish individual from Esfarayen, was killed by direct gunfire from Iranian government forces.

Shahram Mohammadzadeh, a Kurdish individual from Esfarayen, was killed during the protests. His body was buried under strict security measures.

Jalil Milanouyi, a Kurdish individual from Esfarayen, was killed by live ammunition fired by Iranian government forces. Authorities handed his body over to his family three days later after obtaining written pledges, and buried him under heavy security.

Reza Khanzadeh, a 19-year-old Kurdish individual from Esfarayen, was killed during the protests.

Bijan Ebrahimi Touy, a 31-year-old Kurdish individual from the village of Touy in Esfarayen County and a father of two, was killed after Iranian government forces shot him with live ammunition in the leg and side of his body at Saat Crossroads in Esfarayen.

Killed on the evening of Friday, January 9, 2026:

Sorna Rabat-Jazi, a 22-year-old university student of computer engineering at Birjand University of Technology and a native of Esfarayen, was killed by direct gunfire from Iranian government forces. He was a Turkish individual from Esfarayen.