In Tehran, the family of Robina Aminian, a 23-year-old Kurdish college student studying fashion, says she was shot in the back of the head by Iranian security forces during nationwide anti-government protests.
After her death, Aminian’s mother, Amina Norei, was forced to search through piles of corpses in overcrowded morgues to locate her daughter’s body. Fearing interference and potential extortion by authorities demanding payment for the release of bodies, the family fled Tehran with Aminian’s remains and buried her in an unmarked grave beside a roadside near their home region.
More than a week after her death, the family has not been able to hold a formal funeral, underscoring the harsh conditions faced by relatives of those killed in the protests. Rights groups say such difficult recoveries are common amid the ongoing crackdown, where thousands have been reportedly killed and many more injured.
Aminian’s relatives recount that she was not politically active or a demonstrator prior to the fatal shooting, and that the details of what happened remain difficult to independently confirm due to communications restrictions inside Iran.
Latest on Iranian Protester’s Death and Family’s Ordeal (January 17, 2026)
Family of Iranian protester searched for her body in a pile of corpses and buried her on a roadside
Family of Iranian protester searched for her body in a pile of corpses and buried her on a roadside
‘The world needs to know what’s happening’: families of protesters killed in Iran tell of heartbreak
What Happened
- Victim: Robina Aminian, 23-year-old Iranian college student studying fashion design in Tehran.
- During protests: She reportedly joined anti-government demonstrations and was shot in the back of the head by security forces.
- Family ordeal: After she was killed, her mother searched through piles of corpses in Tehran morgues to find her body.
Aftermath
- Fearing interference by authorities — including demands for payment to release bodies — her family fled Tehran and buried her in an unmarked roadside grave outside the city.
- More than a week after her death, the family had not held a formal funeral, due to security pressure and limited communications inside Iran.
Context
- The incident occurred amid widespread nationwide protests in Iran challenging the Islamic Republic’s rule. Families across the country have reported difficulties identifying and retrieving loved ones’ bodies.
- Reports from rights groups indicate thousands killed and many more injured or detained in the ongoing crackdown, though Iran has not released official figures.
Key Points
- The family’s account comes mainly from relatives abroad and limited testimony from Aminian’s friends; direct independent verification inside Iran is difficult due to communication restrictions.
- Human rights organizations have documented other similar accounts of violence and repression during protests.