Ali Seydi

Ali Seydi (September 14, 1997 – October 27, 2022)

Ali Seydi was born on September 14, 1997. He was the second child in a family of five and lived in the city of Parand, southwest of Tehran. He held a diploma in computer studies and worked in real estate. Like many young Iranians, he had ambitions for the future and dreamed of establishing his own service company. Only one month after his twenty-fifth birthday, his life came to a violent end during the nationwide protests that followed the death of Jina (Mahsa) Amini.
In the weeks after Mahsa Amini’s death, Ali openly expressed support for the protest movement. Through his Instagram account, he shared posts criticizing the government’s actions and condemning the violence used against demonstrators. One of the last stories he saved on his profile showed security forces firing at children, accompanied by a message expressing outrage and challenging the attackers to target adults instead.
On the evening of October 26, 2022, the day marking the fortieth day after Mahsa Amini’s death, large demonstrations took place across Iran. Tens of thousands gathered in Saqqez, Amini’s hometown, while protests erupted in many other cities, including Parand. The atmosphere was tense, and security forces were deployed throughout the city.
At approximately 9:00 p.m., near Esteghlal Square and Narges Street in Parand, Ali found himself in the midst of unfolding events. According to witnesses and individuals close to his family, several young women were being surrounded and beaten by plainclothes security personnel. Ali intervened after witnessing the assault. The officers reportedly attacked him with an electric shock device and attempted to subdue him.
As Ali tried to escape and defend himself, one of the security forces allegedly approached him from behind, pressed a firearm against the right side of his abdomen, and fired at close range. The shot caused catastrophic injuries. Ali collapsed immediately and began bleeding heavily.
Witnesses reported that the officers initially dragged him away. When they realized the severity of his condition, they allegedly abandoned him. A group of local residents later found him and rushed him to Mehr Clinic in Parand.
Medical personnel at the clinic quickly determined that his injuries were beyond their ability to treat. The bullet had severely damaged his side and lower back, causing extensive internal injuries and massive blood loss. Doctors advised that he needed immediate transfer to a hospital with advanced surgical capabilities.
Meanwhile, Ali’s family had become increasingly worried because they could not reach him by phone. After several unanswered calls, an unknown man eventually answered. He claimed to have found Ali’s phone and gave conflicting explanations about where he was. The conversation only deepened the family’s concern.
Later that night, a friend of Ali received information from an unidentified individual stating that Ali had been shot and taken to Mehr Clinic. His family rushed there, only to be told that he had already been transferred to Fatemeh Zahra Hospital in Robat Karim. As they searched from one location to another, no one could provide clear information about his whereabouts.
Throughout the night, Ali’s parents searched hospitals, clinics, police stations, and government offices. Despite their efforts, they found no trace of him. They held onto hope that he might have been detained or gone into hiding.
The following morning, October 27, 2022, that hope was shattered. Authorities contacted the family and asked them to come to the local criminal investigation department to identify a body. There, Ali’s father was shown a photograph taken in a morgue. It was his son.
Officials initially attempted to explain the death as the result of “shock” or “fear-induced cardiac arrest.” However, the official forensic documents told a different story. The burial permit listed the causes of death as hemorrhagic shock, massive internal bleeding, rupture of vital organs in the chest and abdomen, and impact from a high-velocity projectile. These findings were consistent with a fatal gunshot wound.
Even after his death, Ali’s family faced significant obstacles. Authorities repeatedly delayed the release of his body, describing the case as a security matter. Although the family obtained the required judicial authorization, they were still prevented from immediately taking possession of his remains.
For three days they struggled to recover his body. Finally, on October 29, 2022, Ali’s remains were released for burial. According to family members, the release came with conditions, including pressure not to publicize the circumstances surrounding his death. During the burial process, relatives were not allowed to view his body. Only part of his face was shown to them before he was laid to rest.
The pressure did not end with the funeral. Security forces reportedly restricted memorial gatherings, removed posters and commemorative displays, and closely monitored the family’s home. Relatives and friends were discouraged from organizing public mourning ceremonies.
According to those close to the family, the harassment continued through the period leading up to Ali’s fortieth-day memorial. At that ceremony, several relatives and friends, including his older brother, were reportedly detained and beaten. His younger sister, Baran, who was only eleven years old at the time, struggled deeply with the loss and suffered severe emotional distress.
Ali’s family filed complaints and sought accountability. However, their efforts yielded no meaningful response. Surveillance footage from the area where the shooting occurred was reportedly collected or removed, and potential witnesses were reluctant to testify out of fear.
Today, Ali Seydi is buried in Section 327 of Tehran’s Behesht-e Zahra cemetery. He was a young man with plans, ambitions, and a future he hoped to build. Instead, his life ended during one of the most turbulent periods in contemporary Iranian history. His story is not only the story of a single victim but also that of a family that lost a son and was denied the chance to grieve freely and openly.