Iranian forces kill Nima Abbasi, a transgender man, during protests in Isfahan

Hengaw – Friday, January 30, 2026

Nima Abbasi, a 23-year-old transgender man from Isfahan, was killed after being shot by Iranian government forces during protests in the city. He is the second transgender man whose killing during the recent protests in Iran has been verified by Hengaw.

According to information received by Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, Abbasi was shot in the head during protests in Isfahan while a friend was attempting to escort him home. The shooting took place at around 9:00 p.m. on Friday, January 9, 2026. He sustained critical injuries and later died after being taken to medical facilities.

Hengaw has learned that after being wounded, Abbasi was placed in a vehicle by his friends to be taken to hospital. However, he was transported to Asgariyeh Hospital instead of the originally intended Sa‘i Hospital, after which his whereabouts remained unknown for nearly a week.

After a week of follow-up, it was confirmed on January 15, 2026, that Abbasi had died near Asgariyeh Hospital due to the severity of his injuries. His body was subsequently transferred to Bagh-e Rezvan Cemetery. His family was able to retrieve his body on Friday, January 16, and he was buried the following day, Saturday, January 17, in the village of Gashnizjan, Isfahan Province.

Based on reports received by Hengaw, Abbasi was a transgender man who had been undergoing the legal process of gender affirmation and was scheduled to appear before the relevant medical commission in the near future.

For documentation purposes, Hengaw has recorded Abbasi’s legal name internally but does not use his deadname in public reporting, out of respect for his identity.

Hengaw has also obtained a copy of Abbasi’s death notice, in which his legal name appears.