Kian Pirfalak, a 9-Year Old Boy, Was Shot Dead in Izeh
#Izeh #ایذه #KianPirfalak #کیان_پیرفلک #MahsaAmini #مهسا_امینی #IranRevolution #IranRevolution2022
Izeh, a city in the southwest province of Khuzestan, endured a bloody evening on the second day of the three-day nationwide protests which left 9 civilians dead*, including two minors. Kian Pirfalak, a 9-year-old boy, has been named as one of the minors. On November 16, Kian was in a car with his family when a group of security forces opened fire on the car, injuring his dad and murdering the son. The regime immediately called it a terrorist attack and pointed fingers at ISIS. The state media, IRNA News Agency, posted a “statement” attributed to ISIS on their website claiming responsibility for the attack which was proved to be fake and the agency took it down hours later without offering an explanation.
Zeinab Molaei Rad, Kian’s mother, gave a poignant speech about Kian’s rich short life and offered a first-hand narrative of the attack during Kian’s burial ceremony. “Hear it from me what happened that night, do not believe the claims of a terrorist attack, it is a lie,” she said. “We were on the transit road and got close to the red cross with loads of riot guards and plainclothes agents in front of it. We drove another 100 meters away when they commanded us to take a turn.” Emotion took over Ms. Molaei Rad as she quoted what Kian said at that moment “Dad, let’s trust the cops this time. They want what is best for us.” They listened to the command and drove back to the red cross station. “When we got there, I don’t know why…maybe because our windows were up, they thought we were going to shoot. And they opened fire on the car” she said while mourning.
On the night of the attack, the family brought his body back home instead of the morgue in fear of having his body stolen by the IRGC, a tactic commonly used by the regime forces. A video that shows his lifeless body covered in ice cubes - allegedly borrowed from the neighbors - has struck a chord with the global community. It depicts the everyday violence & terror inflicted upon civilians. Kian was a member of his town’s robotic team. In a now-viral video, he said “In the name of the god of the rainbow” & then proceeded to do a test run of the boat he has designed for the science & innovation fair. His mother took to social media to share how he wanted to grow up and be a robotic engineer.
*exact numbers of casualties cannot be confirmed due to strict internet restriction.
Other References:
Guardian: Iran protests: family of boy, 9, killed in night of violence blame attack on security forces
BBC: Iran protests: Two boys shot dead by security forces, family sources say