Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); 1 April 2026: A source close to the family of Mehdi Mesbah has provided Iran Human Rights with new details about the circumstances of his killing during the protests of January 2026. According to the information, several days after a confrontation with government forces, the 49-year-old protester from Karaj was targeted in an attack during which he was forced to ingest a pill. The source also reported security pressures on Mehdi Mesbah’s family.
Mehdi Mesbah, a crane operator, was married and the father of a daughter. He lived in Karaj, a town near Tehran.
The informed source told IHRNGO: “On the night of 8 January, Mehdi left home to take part in the protests and, near his residence in Ba’that Town in Karaj, he became involved in a confrontation with several government forces.”
“During the clash, he managed to overpower several security forces,” the sources added, “but one of the individuals present recognised him and said: ‘You are that crane driver!’”
According to the source, Mehdi Mesbah remained at home for several days following the incident: “On the morning of 12 January, when Mehdi left the house, three individuals attacked him and forcibly administered a pill. Following the attack, Mehdi was transferred to hospital and remained hospitalised for approximately one day. Despite the efforts of medical staff, his condition deteriorated and he ultimately died.”
The source close to the family also stated that prior to his death in hospital, Mehdi had explained to those around him how he had been attacked: “He said that he had been identified, and that early in the morning, as he left home, several individuals attacked him and forcibly gave him a pill.”
According to the source, the autopsy results have not yet been announced, but doctors have suggested that the pill he was given may have been similar to aluminium phosphide (known as rice tablet).
Referring to the family’s condition, the source added: “Mehdi’s mother, wife, daughter and sister are in a very poor psychological state following this incident and, due to security pressures, they have been forced to remain silent about the matter.”
According to the source, Mehdi Mesbah was a devoted family man: “He deeply loved his daughter and spent most of his time with her. Now, these days, his daughter is restless without her father and constantly asks for him. This loss and the circumstances imposed on the family have created extremely difficult days for his mother, wife and other family members.”