Iranian Family Forced to Pay for Bullet That Killed Their Son in Protest Crackdown
An Iranian family has revealed they were forced to pay for the bullet that killed their son during a brutal crackdown on protests against the regime. Hooman, a 37-year-old man, was among the thousands of Iranians reportedly killed in the violent suppression of demonstrations.
Details of the Tragic Incident
Security forces for the Islamic Republic killed Hooman last month after he joined protests in Lahijan, located in northern Iran, according to his family. His aunt, Nasrin, speaking from Germany due to safety concerns, told Sky News that Hooman took to the streets unarmed. "He didn't even have a small rock in his pockets to defend himself, but he was shot with a military bullet," she said.
The bazaar where demonstrations occurred was reportedly set on fire, and as protesters fled the blaze, security forces began shooting, a friend informed Nasrin. Iranian state television aired the aftermath, describing it as "the terrorist incident of the Rasht bazaar fire."
Family's Harrowing Search and Demands
Hooman's family was compelled to visit hospitals to search for their son, where they discovered piles of bodies stacked on top of each other. Other families had gathered to determine if their loved ones were among the dead. "They saw so many people crying, all screaming, suffering in every way possible," Nasrin continued. "There were several containers. They said the body was in the containers. When they opened the doors, there were several corpses stacked on top of each other. They had to look for their son."
In line with other reports from families, Nasrin stated that her relatives were instructed to bury Hooman immediately and sign a document preventing them from speaking about the incident. "They had to pay for the bullet that killed their son," she revealed.
Broader Context and Human Rights Concerns
Human rights groups and other organisations have previously reported that families have been asked to cover costs associated with the deaths of protesters, with authorities demanding thousands of dollars in exchange for their release. Reports suggest these costs cover ammunition and mortuary fees. Poorer families are unable to pay and face threats of collective and anonymous burials in return.
Nasrin expressed outrage, saying, "They shoot the young people and then they demand money for the bullet. Are these the people in power or are they murderers?" She attributed responsibility to the Iranian government and Mullahs, stating, "They're all murderers, they all have the blood of the Iranian people on their hands."
Political Reactions and Apologies
Nasrin also voiced skepticism about U.S. President Donald Trump, who is currently working on a nuclear deal with Iran and had previously told Iranians that "help is on its way." She believes change must come from within, saying, "From outside, they just want war, they want to destroy our country. We don't want that."
At least 6,000 people have reportedly been killed in Iran, though numbers are difficult to verify, with aid organisations warning the figure could be far higher. Iran's government released the names of 3,000 people killed, including both civilians and members of security forces.
On the 47th anniversary of the Islamic Republic's birth, President Masoud Pezeshkian issued an apology for the extent of the crackdown on protests. "We are ashamed before the people, and we are obligated to assist all those who were harmed in these incidents," he said. "We are not seeking confrontation with the people."
