Cultural Activists Targeted After January Protests
Meysam Veisi and Mojtaba Veisi, two Kurdish Yarsan brothers from Kermanshah, were killed during an IRGC raid on Thursday, 28 May 2026. The attack took place at their residence in Qaleh Kahush village, in Dalahu County.
Cultural activists targeted after january protests
The two brothers were cultural activists. They helped found the Kurdish library in Dareh Derizh and played an active role in organizing Kurdish Newroz ceremonies.
Dareh Derizh, where they carried out much of their cultural work, became one of the main centers of protest and confrontation in Kermanshah during the January 2026 protests. After the violent crackdown on those protests, security pressure on activists in the area increased.
Reports say Meysam and Mojtaba Veisi came under security pursuit after the January protests. They later went into hiding because of security pressure.
At around 4:00 a.m. on 28 May, security forces reportedly surrounded their residence. Forces opened fire on the house without prior warning. Both brothers were killed at the scene.
Since the attack, the fate of Farshad Hatamipour, one of the men present with the two brothers, has remained unknown. His family has received no clear information about his condition or whereabouts.
From a human rights perspective, the killing of Meysam and Mojtaba Veisi raises serious concerns about the violation of the right to life. It also raises concerns about the use of lethal force outside any judicial process.
Their case also shows the continuing pressure faced by Kurdish cultural activists and members of the Yarsan community in Iran. Cultural work, community organizing, and Kurdish Newroz activities have repeatedly faced security treatment instead of protection.
Hiwa Life calls for urgent international attention to the killing of Meysam and Mojtaba Veisi. Iranian authorities must provide full information about the attack, reveal the fate of Farshad Hatamipour, and allow an independent investigation.
Read more news and updates on Kurdish activists, extrajudicial killings, the Yarsan community, and human rights violations in Iran in Hiwa Life’s News section.
Why this case matters?
The killing of Meysam and Mojtaba Veisi raises urgent concerns about extrajudicial killing and the use of lethal force against Kurdish activists in Iran. Reports say security forces opened fire on a residential building without prior warning.
Their case also highlights the pressure faced by Kurdish cultural activists and the Yarsan community. The two brothers were known for cultural and community work, including the Kurdish library in Dareh Derizh and Kurdish Newroz ceremonies.
The unknown fate of Farshad Hatamipour adds another layer of urgency. Authorities must immediately clarify whether they detained him, where they are holding him, and whether he has access to legal protection and his family.
