Family of Iranian Protester Forced to Pay for Bullet That Killed Their Son
In a shocking revelation, Nasrin, an Iranian woman now living in Germany, has disclosed that her family was compelled to pay for the bullet that killed her nephew, Hooman, during recent protests in Iran. The 37-year-old Hooman was fatally shot by government forces in Lahijan, northern Iran, in early January, while participating in demonstrations against the regime. Nasrin, speaking with a blend of anger and disbelief, shared the painful details of this tragic event, highlighting the extreme measures taken by authorities.
The Tragic Death of Hooman
Hooman took to the streets unarmed, without even a small rock for self-defense, yet he was struck down by a military bullet, according to his aunt. Nasrin described her distress as palpable, oscillating between heartbreak and exhaustion over her powerlessness. Unable to return to Iran due to safety concerns, she cannot comfort her grieving family in person, leaving her with only a framed photo of Hooman, which she kisses through tears.
After Hooman's death, his relatives attempted to retrieve his body but were informed it had been moved to Rasht, a city also accused of violent crackdowns on protesters. Nasrin recounted that a friend in Rasht reported the bazaar being set on fire, with security forces opening fire as protesters fled the flames. Iranian state TV later aired drone footage, labeling it as the scene "three days after the terrorist incident of the Rasht bazaar fire."
Grieving Families and Forced Silence
When Hooman's family finally reached the storage location for his body, they encountered numerous other grieving families in a state of anguish. Nasrin explained, "They saw so many people crying, all screaming, suffering in every way possible." The bodies were stored in containers, stacked on top of each other, forcing families to search for their loved ones amidst the chaos.
In a further blow, the family was instructed to bury Hooman immediately and required to sign a document prohibiting them from discussing the incident. Most egregiously, Nasrin claims they were forced to pay money for the bullet that killed their son. Hooman, married for three years, left behind a young widow, adding to the family's sorrow.
Hooman's Legacy and Calls for Justice
In a social media post, Hooman's friend revealed that an hour before his death, Hooman had expressed a willingness to die so others could be free. When asked who she holds responsible, Nasrin unequivocally blamed the Iranian government and Mullahs, calling them murderers with blood on their hands. She questioned, "They shoot the young people and then they demand money for the bullet. Are these the people in power or are they murderers?"
The exact death toll from the protests that began in late December remains difficult to verify, with Iran's government releasing names of around 3,000 killed, including civilians and security forces, while blaming rioters and foreign interference for the violence.
International Response and Nasrin's Perspective
Following the crackdown, U.S. President Donald Trump has deployed warships and threatened force to push for a nuclear deal, but Nasrin expressed skepticism. "I have no hope about Donald Trump. They could already help many other Iranian people. They could do sanctions," she stated. She emphasized that the Iranian people can overthrow the government but need support, not war.
Nasrin believes lasting change must come from within Iran, warning that foreign intervention could lead to destruction. Powerless to effect change inside her homeland, she has joined protests in Germany, demanding democracy and justice for the dead, though she acknowledges these efforts may falter.
Sky News presented the allegations to the Iranian Embassy in London but received no response at the time of publication. This story underscores the ongoing human rights abuses and the desperate pleas for international attention and action.
