IRAN - Eight Gilaks victims

IRAN - Eight Gilaks among newly identified protest victims

January 19, 2026:

January 19, 2026 - IRAN. Eight Gilaks among newly identified protest victims

Eshaq Qanbarnia, Abbas Arezu, Arash Hassani, Milad Mianehkhah, Emad Shoush, Erfan Azordeh, Omid Norouzi, Parsa Abyazi

Eight Gilak individuals were killed by Iranian government forces during recent protests, according to information obtained by Hengaw.

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 January 9.

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

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

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

Emad Shoush, from Lahijan and a member of a justice-seeking family, was killed by government forces during protests in the city on January 8, 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, from Babol, was killed by 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 from the town of Kumelehin Langarud County, was killed by government forces during protests in Astaneh Ashrafieh. Hengaw has learned that his body was buried at night in Langarud without any public ceremony.

https://hengaw.net/en/news/2026/01/article-153