Behnam Amirafshari

Incident summary

At approximately 8:15 p.m. on January 8, 2026, Behnam Amirafshari was struck by live ammunition reportedly fired from the top of an unfinished building. The bullet entered the left side of his abdomen and severely damaged the arteries extending toward his right leg. His family immediately transferred him to Sardar Soleimani Hospital on Malard Road. According to the family, because a vascular surgeon was unavailable, his right leg was amputated. They were initially not permitted to transfer him to Tehran. The following morning, as his condition deteriorated, they were told to take him to Tehran and transferred him to Omid Hospital. Doctors there found that his leg had turned black and said they could not treat him, so he was transferred to Taleghani Hospital in Velenjak. After 24 hours, his right leg was amputated above the thigh. The following day, he underwent another operation to remove the bullet that had remained lodged in his pelvis for 36 hours. Behnam endured 72 days of severe pain and suffering in hospital. His abdominal and leg wounds became seriously infected. He almost lost his ability to speak, developed kidney complications, required dialysis, and suffered severe bleeding. Despite everything, he continued to say that he would recover and return home, even with one leg. Behnam remained hopeful and focused on the hope of freedom. He would say that losing his leg did not matter, as long as the government fell, and that it was still possible to live with one leg. After 72 extremely difficult days, doctors discharged him despite his wife's strong opposition. Behnam could no longer tolerate the hospital and wished to spend the Persian New Year with his wife and children. At 4:00 p.m. on March 19, 2026, he returned home. He survived for only three hours and died at 7:00 p.m. in his wife's arms as a result of a pulmonary embolism. He was initially supposed to be buried at Behesht-e Sakineh Cemetery. According to the family, the authorities said burial there would only be permitted if they agreed to have him officially declared a “martyr.” His wife firmly refused. Under a heavy security presence, Behnam Amirafshari was buried in Section 20 of Behesht-e Rezvan Cemetery in Kahanz, Shahriar.