19 February 2026 :
February 17, 2026 - IRAN. Victim Accounts: Shahabeddin Sameni Killed by Sniper Shot to the Eye; Family Under Threat
Shahabeddin Sameni, a 46-year-old protester, was shot and killed by security forces during the nationwide protests in January 2026. A source close to his family has provided new details about the circumstances of his killing.
Shahabeddin Sameni, born in 1979, was shot at approximately 10:30 pm on Thursday, 8 January 2026, in Haft Hoz Square in Tehran. According to the source, he was targeted by direct gunfire and a single bullet struck his left eye, killing him instantly. The shot was reportedly fired by a sniper using a high-precision rifle.
The source told IHRNGO that after hours of searching, the family located his body in the patio of Al-Ghadir Hospital in Tehran. “No payment was demanded for the release of the body,” the source added, “however, the family reportedly waited until approximately 10–11 am for a duty judge to authorise the transfer.”
According to the source, the body was then transferred to Kahrizak, where administrative procedures were carried out: “He was buried on Friday, 9 January 2026, in Section 18, in a grave where his grandfather had previously been laid to rest.”
Following the burial, according to the source, individuals from the Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans Affairs and some other institutions contacted the family and requested that their son be registered among the “martyrs”. The source continued: “The family rejected the request. The source stated that the most recent contact occurred approximately one week ago, when Sameni’s father responded firmly. The family remains concerned about potential pressure, particularly as he is survived by a teenage son, a 13-year-old daughter and a younger brother.”
The source added that Shahabedin Sameni had been active in martial arts since childhood and had begun training at approximately 10 or 12 years of age alongside his brother. His family are described as long-standing and well-known shopkeepers in the Nezamabad area of Tehran.
The source close to Shahabeddin Sameni’s family said that the victim was a world champion in the 2001 Pancration (Mixed Martial Arts) World Championships held in Brazil: “Shahabeddin had been active in martial arts since childhood. From around the age of 10, when he was in primary school, he attended sports classes with his brother and was my student for many years. Our contact continued until his killing, and in many matters in Iran, he was practically my supporter and companion.”
Regarding the Sameni family, the source said they have been long-standing and well-known shopkeepers on Nezamabad Street in Tehran and have worked in the gold trade for more than 30 years. Shahabeddin was also active in the same field, although over the past decade he had primarily been engaged in construction work.
https://iranhr.net/en/articles/8620/
