Pouya Rajabnia

Pouya Rajabnia (October 1, 1998 – October 1, 2022)

Pouya Rajabnia was a 24-year-old resident of the Taxi Drivers’ Town (Shahrak-e Taksirani) neighborhood on Saheli Boulevard in the city of Babol, Mazandaran Province. He lived with his parents and was among the young people who joined the nationwide protests that began after the death of Mahsa Amini in September 2022. According to friends and people close to him, he participated in demonstrations from the very first days and was present in the streets almost every night alongside other protesters. He had also been deeply affected by the November 2019 protests and by the downing of Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752.
On 1 October 2022, Pouya took part in the protests in Babol. According to reports published by activists and human rights sources, he was standing on top of a minibus and chanting slogans against Iran’s Supreme Leader when he was struck by gunfire from security forces. He died from his injuries during the protest.
Following his death, reports indicate that security forces took possession of his body and prevented his family from holding a public funeral ceremony. The location of his burial was reportedly withheld from the family, and they were informed of the burial site only three days after he had been buried.
Pouya Rajabnia’s death was a devastating loss for his family, friends, and many people in Babol. At the age of 24, his life was cut short during the nationwide protests of 2022, and his name has since been included among those who lost their lives during those events.