17 January 2026 :

January 17, 2026 - IRAN. Borna Dehghani, 17-year-old, killed during protests

Borna Dehghani, a 17-year-old Baha’i child from Karaj, was killed after being shot by Iranian government forces during the recent protests in the city.

According to information Hengaw received on January 17, Borna Dehghani, a 17-year-old student, was fatally shot by Iranian authorities on January 9, 2025, amid the public protests in Karaj.

Hengaw’s investigations indicate that Borna was a dedicated and talented student who was actively pursuing his education and personal development. He had previously completed a comprehensive training program at a private educational institute known as “Red Palace.”

A video recently obtained by Hengaw, originally published in 2021, shows Borna at the age of 12 speaking with his mother about his future goals and aspirations. In the video, he explains that he had gained skills in emotional awareness, social engagement, media literacy, financial understanding, and academic development through his training at Red Palace. He expressed hope that these abilities would help him manage challenges and build a stable future.

In recent years, the Baha’i community in Iran has faced ongoing pressure, systematic repression, and structural discrimination. Community members are subjected to employment restrictions, confiscation of property, fabricated judicial cases, threats, home raids, and wide-ranging economic and social limitations that directly impact their daily lives and civil activities.

https://hengaw.net/en/news/2026/01/article-130