Remembering Iranian Artists Killed in the January 2026 Protests
ARC – Artists at Risk Connection strongly condemns the reported killings of artists by police and militias in Iran, amid nationwide popular protests that began on 28 December 2025. Despite severe restrictions on information, including a government-imposed internet and mobile phone blackout, credible human rights organizations and international media report that thousands of civilians are confirmed to have been killed. As information is verified and confirmed, ARC will update this page to remember the artists who were killed because they sought fundamental rights and freedoms.
(image above courtesy of Sahar Ghorishi, www.saharghorishi.com)
Mehdi Salahshour
Sculptor
Mehdi, a prominent sculptor, sculpture instructor, and founder of a specialized stone sculpture workshop, was shot and killed by government forces on 8 January 2026 in Mashhad, Iran.
Ahmad Abbasi
Theatre Director and Actor
Amir, a theatre director and actor originally from Karaj, Alborz Province, was shot and killed by government forces during protests on 8 January 2026 in Tehran, Iran.
Yaser Modir Rousta
Musician and Music Instructor
Yaser was a dedicated musician, music instructor, master of the traditional tar and setar instruments, and director of the “Pezhvak Honar” Music Academy. He was shot and killed by government forces during protests on 8 January 2026 in Karaj, Iran.
Foad Safaei
Singer and Musician
Foad, was a young singer, guitar and piano player, and avid reader. Just days shy of his 24th birthday, he was shot and killed by government forces during protests on 8 January 2026 in Karaj, Iran.
Ghazal Aghaei Lindi
Nature Photographer
Ghazal, a nature photographer, was shot and killed by government forces on 9 January 2026 during protests in the western Qaleh Hasan Khan neighborhood in Tehran, Iran.
Babak Jamali
Singer
Babak, a singer and father of two young children from Arak, Markazi Province, was shot and killed by government forces on 9 January 2026 during the protests in Arak, Iran.
Javad Ganji
Filmmaker
Javad, a renowned filmmaker originally from Hamdan, was shot and killed by government forces during protests on 9 January 2026 in the Sadeghiyeh neighborhood of Tehran, Iran.
Shokoufeh Abdi
Photographer
Shokoufeh, a young photographer from Shazand, in Markazi Province, was shot and killed by government forces on 18 January 2026 in Arak, Iran.
Sanam Pour Babayi
Violinist and Music Instructor
Sanam, originally from Siakhal, in Gilan Province, was a violinst and well-known music teacher. She was shot and killed by government forces as she took part in protests outside a government building on 18 January 2026 in Lahijan, Iran.
Amir Ali Zarei
Musician and Student
Amir, a young musician and student at the Iran University of Art in Tehran, was shot and killed by government forces during protests on 18 January 2026 in Tehran, Iran.
Shabnam Ferdowsi
Puppet Maker and Graphic Artist
Shabnam, a puppet maker and graphic artist active in the creative scene in Tehran, was shot and killed by government forces during protests on 18 January 2026 in Tehran, Iran.
Zohreh Shamaizadeh
Script Supervisor and Actress
Zohreh was a script supervisor for film and theatre and an actress who was active in the visual arts and performance scenes in Tehran. She was killed by government forces during the January 2026 protests. Details about the cause and location of her death are unclear.
Sahba Rashtian
Visual Artist
Sahba, a visual artist, was shot and killed by government forces during protests on 15 January 2026 in Isfahan, Iran.
Melika Dastyab
Musician
Melika was a musician and economics student from the Kurdish community. She was killed on the evening of 8 January during protests in the Moallem neighbourhood of Kermanshah after being shot by Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) forces.
Reyhaneh Yousefi
Actress
Reyhaneh, a theatre actress, was shot and killed by government forces during protests in Tehran on 9 January 2026.
Pouya Faragerdi
Musician
Pouya was a violinist and active in various orchestras for years, including the Nilper and Camerata orchestras. He also taught music at several schools and crafted homemade instruments. He was killed on 8 January during protests in the Majidiieh neighbourhood of Tehran by government forces.
Aria Honarmand
Rapper
Aria, a rapper who sang songs protesting the government, was killed by government forces on 8 January, in the Naziabad neighborhood of Tehran.
Hossein Tehranchi
Singer & Musician
Hossein was a singer and musician who was killed by government forces in the Narmak district of Tehran on 8 January.
Amirhossein Malekshahi
Singer & Musician
Amir, a singer and musician, was shot in the head and killed by government forces on 8 January, Tehran.
Abolfazl Yaghmouri
Rapper
Abolfazl, a young rapper, was shot and killed by government forces in Tehran on 8 January.
