Abolfazl Adinehzadeh

Abolfazl Adinehzadeh (June 17, 2005 – October 8, 2022)

Abolfazl Adinehzadeh was a 17-year-old Iranian protester from Mashhad who lost his life during the nationwide protests in Iran in 2022.

Early Life

Abolfazl was a high school student living in Mashhad. From the age of around 14, he worked alongside his studies in a mobile phone repair shop to help support his family financially. According to his mother, Goldasteh Hosseini, he was deeply loved even before his birth and raised in a religious environment.
Although his family hoped to send him abroad for better opportunities, Abolfazl preferred to remain in Iran, expressing a strong attachment to his homeland and a desire to build his future there. Those who knew him describe him as cheerful, kind, and warm-hearted—a teenager who often smiled and brought joy to others.
After school, he would work until late in the evening. Events such as the death of Mahsa Amini, the reported mistreatment of protesting women, and broader social and economic concerns influenced his views and contributed to his decision to participate in the protests.

Death

On Saturday, October 8, 2022, instead of going to school, Abolfazl joined protest gatherings in Mashhad. Around 11:00 a.m., near the northern gate of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, he was reportedly struck in the neck with a stun device and then shot multiple times with pellet rounds.
He was transported to a hospital in critical condition. Reports indicate that several pellets were removed from his body, but due to the severity of his injuries, he died shortly afterward. His death certificate cited damage to vital organs, including the kidneys and liver, caused by gunfire. It has also been reported that the shots were fired from a very close range.
Following the incident, there were accounts of pressure on his family to remain silent and avoid publicizing the circumstances of his death.

Burial

Abolfazl was laid to rest in the village of Najafabad, near Faruj. Reports indicate that security forces were present during the funeral, and restrictions were imposed on attendees. Some mourners were reportedly questioned and asked to delete photos and videos from the مراسم.

Pressure on the Family

In the months following his death, pressure on his family continued. On June 16, 2023, several family members—including his father, sister, and uncle—were detained at his gravesite. On the same day, his mother and other relatives were reportedly arrested at their residence. They were later released on bail.
Subsequently, legal cases were opened against some family members on charges such as “propaganda against the state.” The family’s lawyer, Khosrow Alikordi, also faced similar accusations.

Legal Proceedings and Controversies

According to statements by the family’s lawyer, initial findings from certain security bodies indicated that Abolfazl had been shot by anti-riot forces. A prosecutor in Mashhad, after conducting investigations, referred the case to a military court.
However, the military prosecutor later stated that there was insufficient conclusive evidence proving the use of pellet weapons by military or law enforcement forces and declared the case closed. This decision was strongly criticized by the family’s lawyer, who described it as inconsistent with legal standards.
Key points of contention include the lack of access to surveillance footage from cameras around the scene. The family has consistently emphasized that they are seeking identification and accountability for those responsible and have رفضed any financial compensation.

Current Status

Although the case has been declared closed by the military prosecutor’s office, the family’s lawyer has announced plans to appeal the decision within the legal timeframe. At the same time, legal cases against family members and their lawyer remain ongoing.