Iranian forces shoot dead Kurdish man Diyar Pourchehriq in Tehran

Hengaw – Monday, January 12, 2026

Diyar Pourchehriq, a Kurdish man from Salmas, was killed by direct gunfire from Iranian government forces during public protests in Tehran. He is the second resident of Salmas reported killed during protests in the capital on the same day.

According to information received by the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, Diyar Pourchehriq (30) was shot dead by government forces in Tehran’s Punak neighborhood.

A knowledgeable source told Hengaw that Pourchehriq had recently purchased a vehicle and traveled to Tehran to work as a driver. He was killed after being directly targeted by gunfire from government forces amid the protests.

The source added that Pourchehriq’s body has not been handed over to his family.

Hengaw had earlier reported the killing of Borhan Seidi, another Kurdish man from Salmas and a resident of the village of Yengijeh, who was also killed during protests in Tehran on the same day.

Footage obtained by Hengaw shows that during the protests on Thursday, January 8, 2026, Iranian government forces used direct live fire against demonstrators in Tehran, resulting in a high number of deaths and injuries.