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A 23-year-old textile design student was shot in the head at close range during protests in Tehran, according to Norway-based Iran Human Rights, marking another tragic death in the regime’s ongoing crackdown on nationwide demonstrations.
Rubina Aminian, who studied textile and fashion design at Shariati Technical and Vocational College for Girls in Tehran, was killed on January 8 after leaving college to join protests in the Iranian capital. The young Kurdish woman from Marivan became one of the few publicly identified victims among what human rights organizations claim are thousands who have died during the unrest.
“Sources close to Rubina’s family, citing eyewitnesses, told Iran Human Rights that the young Kurdish woman from Marivan was shot from close range from behind, with the bullet striking her head,” the organization reported in a statement.
Following her death, Aminian’s family traveled from their home in Kermanshah, western Iran, to Tehran to identify her body. According to sources cited by Iran Human Rights, authorities took the family to a location near the college where they witnessed the bodies of hundreds of young demonstrators allegedly killed during the protests.
“Most of the victims were young people between 18 and 22 years old, who had been shot at close range in the head and neck by government forces,” a source close to the family revealed.
The family reportedly faced significant obstacles in claiming Aminian’s remains. Initially barred from identifying her body, they were later prevented from taking possession of her remains. Only after considerable efforts were they allowed to retrieve her body and return to Kermanshah.
However, the family’s ordeal continued upon their return. Intelligence forces reportedly surrounded their home, preventing a proper burial ceremony. According to Iran Human Rights, authorities forced the family to bury Aminian’s body alongside a road between Kermanshah and the nearby city of Kamyaran.
Further restrictions prevented the family from holding mourning ceremonies, with several mosques in Marivan reportedly prohibited from hosting memorial services for the young woman.
The treatment of Aminian’s family reflects a pattern documented by human rights organizations, where Iranian authorities restrict funeral ceremonies for protesters to prevent them from becoming rallying points for further demonstrations. This approach has been consistently employed throughout the months of civil unrest sweeping the country.
Iran’s ongoing anti-government protests have been fueled by widespread anger over political repression and deteriorating economic conditions, including spiraling inflation that has devastated household finances. What began as isolated demonstrations has evolved into one of the most significant challenges to the Islamic Republic’s authority in recent years.
The scale of the government crackdown has been severe. The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency estimates that over 16,700 people have been detained since the protests began. Other rights groups have reported extremely high death tolls, with some estimates exceeding 3,000 casualties.
The Iranian government maintains tight control over information coming out of the country, making independent verification of these figures difficult. Internet blackouts and restrictions on foreign media have been implemented throughout the protests, limiting the flow of information about the demonstrations and the regime’s response.
Iran Human Rights described Aminian as “a young woman full of joy for life and passionate about fashion and clothing design, whose dreams were buried by the violent repression of the Islamic Republic.”
The ongoing demonstrations represent one of the most sustained challenges to the Iranian regime in recent years, with protesters from diverse backgrounds joining together despite the significant risks they face from security forces. As international pressure mounts on Tehran over its human rights record, the stories of victims like Rubina Aminian continue to emerge, putting human faces to the statistics of those killed during the unrest.
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14 Comments
The death of Rubina Aminian is a heartbreaking reminder of the heavy price the Iranian people are paying for their fight for freedom and democracy. My heart goes out to her family and all those mourning the victims of this brutal crackdown.
The fact that her body was found buried near the roadside is a disturbing indication of the regime’s efforts to cover up its crimes. The world must continue to demand justice and accountability for these atrocities.
This is a devastating loss of life, and a tragic example of the Iranian regime’s disregard for the rights and freedoms of its own citizens. Rubina Aminian’s death is a somber reminder of the high stakes involved in these protests.
The reports of hundreds of bodies being found near the site of her death are truly horrifying. The international community must continue to condemn these actions and support the Iranian people in their fight for change.
It’s horrifying to hear of the violent suppression of these protests, with reports of thousands killed. Rubina Aminian’s death is a devastating loss, and a sad reflection of the regime’s disregard for human rights and democratic freedoms.
The targeting of students and young people is particularly cruel. I hope the international community continues to condemn these actions and works to support the Iranian people in their fight for change.
Rubina Aminian’s death is a heartbreaking tragedy, and a stark reminder of the brutality of the Iranian regime. My condolences go out to her family and loved ones, and to all those suffering under this crackdown.
The fact that her body was found buried near the roadside is a chilling indication of the regime’s efforts to cover up its crimes. The world must continue to demand justice and accountability for these atrocities.
This is a deeply tragic and troubling incident. The targeting and killing of student protesters is an unconscionable abuse of power by the Iranian regime. My heart goes out to Rubina Aminian’s family and all those suffering under this crackdown.
The fact that her body was found buried near the roadside is especially disturbing. The regime must be held accountable for these horrific acts of violence against its own citizens.
This is a devastating development in the ongoing protests in Iran. The killing of a young student like Rubina Aminian is a horrific violation of human rights and a tragic loss of life. My condolences go out to her family and loved ones.
The reports of hundreds of bodies being found near the site of her death are truly horrifying. The Iranian regime must be held accountable for these crimes against its own people.
This is a tragic and senseless loss of life. Rubina Aminian was just a young student exercising her right to protest, and she was brutally cut down. My heart goes out to her family and all those mourning the victims of this crackdown.
The fact that her body was found buried near the roadside is a chilling indication of the regime’s efforts to cover up its crimes. The world must continue to shine a light on these atrocities and demand accountability.