Iranian man has been shot dead by security forces, allegedly for celebrating his country’s exit at the Qatar World Cup
Mehran Samak was killed after honking his car horn in the city of Bandar Anzali, a city north-west of Tehran, according to activists..
In a twist, it later transpired that the victim was a childhood friend of Iranian football player Saeid Ezatolahi, who played in the World Cup in Qatar and was in the team which lost to the USA on Tuesday, which confirmed Iran’s exit from the tournament.
The Oslo-based Iran Human Rights group confirmed Samak’s death in a statement on Twitter on Thursday.
ATTENTION: Click “HERE” to join our WhatsApp group and receive News updates directly on your WhatsApp!
“His name was Mehran Samak. He was shot in the head by state forces when he went out to celebrate the Islamic Republic’s loss at Fifa World Cup 2022 in Bandar Anzali last night like many across the country. He was just 27 years old.”
Iran’s national team lost a tightly fought battle 1-0 against the US on Tuesday night and subsequently crashed out of the World Cup.
Iranians subsequently took to the streets to celebrate the loss of the national team, which many perceive to be an instrument of the clerical regime.
After reports of Samak’s death, Ezatolahi said he knew him as a boy and posted a photo on his Instagram story.
“I wish we could stay at that age forever. Without struggles, without hatred, without envy,” he wrote.
