Mother of Slain Nine-Year-Old Iranian Boy Forced into Silence

November 3, 2023

2 min read

Kian’s outspoken mother, Mahmonir Molaei-Rad, publicly accused Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and his security forces of being responsible for her son’s death

And on Kian's birthday, Molaei-Rad's 21-year-old cousin, Pouya, was shot and killed by security forces while he was heading to the boy’s gravesite in the village of Parchestan, Izeh

Iranian authorities are exerting intense pressure on the family of Kian Pirfalak, a nine-year-old boy who was killed during nationwide protests last year, ahead of the one-year anniversary of his death.

Kian and several other people lost their lives when government forces indiscriminately fired live ammunition on people during protests in the southwestern city of Izeh on November 16, 2022.

Officials have labeled the Izeh massacre as a "terrorist" act and attributed it to government opponents. The Pirfalak family rejected the claims and said the boy was shot by the security forces in his parent's car.

Kian’s outspoken mother, Mahmonir Molaei-Rad, publicly accused Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and his security forces of being responsible for her son’s death.

A source from Izeh tells IranWire that security officials have now forced Molaei-Rad into silence by issuing threats against her and the entire family.

The source hints that the authorities are apprehensive about potential large gatherings taking place on the anniversary of Kian's death.

In June, Molaei-Rad organized a commemoration to mark what would have been Kian's 10th birthday and called on all Iranians to join.

The Iranian diaspora responded to the call by holding ceremonies across the globe on that day.

In the days leading up to Kian's birthday, security agents conducted a raid on Molaei-Rad's home, engaged in violent confrontations with family members and confiscated several personal items.

And on Kian's birthday, Molaei-Rad's 21-year-old cousin, Pouya, was shot and killed by security forces while he was heading to the boy’s gravesite in the village of Parchestan, Izeh.

According to IranWire sources, security institutions interrogated Molaei-Rad after Pouya's death and conditioned the handover of his body to the family's silence.

"The Molaei-Rad and Pirfalak families have retreated from public life due to the immense pressure they have experienced and continue to face," IranWire's source says.

Almost no one in Izeh directly communicates with the families, the source says, adding, "They are under intense surveillance."