Erfan Rezaei

Erfan Rezaei (September 2, 2001 – September 21, 2022)

Erfan Rezaei was among the protesters during the nationwide protests in Iran in 2022, in the city of Amol. Reports indicate that he was killed after being shot twice at close range, with bullets striking his shoulder and chest.
Prior to his death, a video circulated on social media showing him tearing down a banner of Ali Khamenei in one of the streets of Amol. According to several accounts, he was later shot near the Amol governor’s office.

Background of Events

On September 17, 2022, Mahsa Amini was buried in her hometown of Saqqez. Her death, following her arrest by the morality police, triggered widespread protests across Iran. In the days that followed, demonstrations spread to multiple cities, including Amol. On September 21, reports emerged of violent clashes and the killing of several protesters.

Day of the Incident (September 21, 2022)

On the evening of September 21, Erfan Rezaei contacted his mother and told her he did not intend to participate in protests and only planned to go out for a walk. About an hour later, his family’s attempts to reach him went unanswered, raising concern.
Later that evening, the family was first informed that he might be detained at the Amol Intelligence Office, but inquiries there yielded no results. Shortly afterward, an acquaintance reported that Erfan had been shot and transferred to 17 Shahrivar Hospital in Amol.
At the hospital, his name was reportedly registered at reception, and some staff stated they had seen him conscious. However, clear information about his condition was not provided. His mother later found a piece of his blood-stained clothing near the operating room, while hospital staff denied having identifiable information about patients.

After the Incident

Two days after his disappearance, security officials contacted the family and asked them to retrieve his body from the morgue. According to the family, signs of an autopsy were visible. The official death certificate listed the cause of death as “severe bleeding” and “impact of war-related instruments outside of combat conditions.”
The family also stated that they were pressured to remain silent about the circumstances. According to his mother, authorities suggested attributing responsibility for his death to opposition groups or registering him as a “martyr,” both of which the family رفضed.

Personal Background

Erfan Rezaei was a 21-year-old young man known for his interest in reading and critical thinking. According to relatives, he had been reading works by Nietzsche, Sadegh Hedayat, and Dostoevsky from a young age. He discontinued formal education due to dissatisfaction with the ideological system and showed no interest in government employment or military service.
His father was a veteran of the Iran–Iraq War and suffered from chemical exposure and blast injuries, and the family lived under difficult conditions. Despite this, those close to Erfan describe him as thoughtful, aware, and strong-willed.

Unresolved Questions

Significant uncertainties remain regarding the exact circumstances of his death, including whether he died immediately after being shot, during transport to the hospital, or later due to untreated internal bleeding.

Burial and Aftermath

Erfan Rezaei’s body was returned to his family on September 24, 2022. Reports indicate that the funeral was held under restrictions and that the family remained under surveillance. Despite these limitations, a burial ceremony took place, and the family continues to seek clarity about the events leading to his death.