Ilam; Mehdi Ghanbari, 28-year-old Kurdish man from Malekshahi, died 9 days after sustaining severe injuries Killed by a barrage of three live bullets and a motorcycle running over his body in a dead-end alley
February 2, 2026; “Mehdi Ghanbari,” a 28-year-old Kurdish youth from “Malekshahi” in “Ilam” province, is the identity of another individual wounded during the popular protests of January 8, 2026, in “Ilam,” who lost his life on January 17, 2026, due to the severity of injuries resulting from a barrage of bullets and a motorcycle running over his body.
An informed source, while confirming this news to “Kurdpa,” stated: On the evening of Friday, January 9, 2026, during the popular protests in “Ilam,” Mehdi Ghanbari was cornered in a dead-end alley by the repressive forces of the Islamic Republic. The repressive forces targeted him with a barrage of live ammunition and subsequently ran over his wounded body with a motorcycle, abandoning him at the scene.
According to this report, Mehdi Ghanbari was severely injured by three live bullets striking his kidney, thigh, and side areas, as well as by severe injuries caused by the motorcycle passing over his body. Citizens transferred him to “Imam Khomeini Hospital” in “Ilam,” but because he was not carrying a mobile phone, his family remained unaware of his status and location for nine days.
The source added: After undergoing several surgeries, Mehdi Ghanbari finally regained consciousness on January 17, 2026, and was able to provide his family's contact number. By the time his family reached the hospital, he passed away in their presence.
The body of Mehdi Ghanbari was buried on the same day, January 17, 2026, under intense pressure and a security atmosphere, amidst an imposed silence by security forces, in the “Behesht-e Reza” cemetery in “Ilam.”
Mehdi Ghanbari, 28 years old, was single and a worker. In his final Instagram story, he had written: “The old cane in my hand constantly gives tidings, that death is here, or here, or here, or here,” and added: “I have fulfilled my duty.”
