Kurdish teen footballer killed during Tehran protests, family awaiting body

Rebin Moradi, a 17-year-old Kurdish student and athlete, was killed during protests in Tehran after being shot directly by Iranian government forces. Moradi, originally from Salas-e Babajani in Kermanshah province and a resident of the capital, died on January 8, 2026, the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights reports.

A source familiar with the case told Hengaw that Moradi’s family received confirmation of his death only on January 12, following four days without any information about his whereabouts. The source added that the family has not yet been permitted to take possession of his body.

Moradi was an active youth footballer, playing for Saipa Club in the Tehran Youth Premier Football League. He had scored goals in league matches and was widely regarded as one of the most promising talents in Tehran’s youth football scene. Prior to joining Saipa, he had competed for other youth teams, including Parsian Javan Ilya Novin, and participated in official matches organized by the Tehran Province Football Board.

Beyond football, Moradi excelled in multiple sports. He was a swimming champion in his age category and also practiced wrestling, reflecting his versatile athletic ability.

By Vafa Guliyeva