Sepehr Sharifi Torqaba
Sepehr Sharifi Torqaba (October 07, 2000 – October 07, 2022)
Sepehr Sharifi Torqaba was a 22-year-old from Torqaba, Mashhad, who lived with his family in the residential complex of the University of Tehran. He was an only child and had a very close and affectionate bond with his mother. Those around him described him as talented in filming and sound recording, a field in which he was interested and hoped to build his future.
In the days leading up to 7 October 2022, he lived a normal student life. Just one day before the start of the new university semester, on the evening of 16 Mehr, after attending his birthday party, he was on his way home when he was directly shot by Basij forces. He was killed after being shot 28 times.
After the incident, his family came under intense security pressure. His father, Moein Sharifi, who had spoken publicly about his son’s death and shared details of the case, was later arrested and remained in prison on the night of his son’s 40th anniversary.
Moein Sharifi wrote on his personal page:
“What sin? How could you shoot 28 bullets at my son?”
For his family and many who followed the event, the memory of Sepehr Sharifi Torqaba is tied to youth, unfulfilled dreams, and a deep sense of loss—a name that has become part of the collective memory of Iran’s 2022 protest movement.