A man was killed by security forces in Iran after honking his car horn to celebrate the country’s World Cup loss to the US, a human rights group said on Wednesday – as anti-government protests erupted across the country following the defeat. .
Mehran Samak, 27, was allegedly shot in the head at an anti-regime demonstration in Bandar Anzali on Tuesday night after cheering the country’s 1-0 defeat, the Iran Human Rights group said.
The alleged shooting came as Iranians opposed to the country’s “murderous” political regime took to the streets to celebrate the soccer team’s defeat of its long-time political rival Qatar on Tuesday.
Footage shared on social media shows Iranians cheering and setting off fireworks.
Demonstrations after the game erupted in support of the women’s rights protests that rocked the nation – sparked by the police death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in September.
Ahead of the highly anticipated soccer match, some anti-regime Iranians refused to support their nation’s soccer team, saying it is a symbol of the Islamic Republic.
Amini, an aspiring lawyer, was arrested by Iran’s morality police on September 13 on suspicion of violating the country’s strict hijab laws by wearing it in a way that exposed some of her hair.
Tehran authorities claimed she died of a heart attack.
According to the Human Rights Activists News Agency, at least 455 Iranians have died in the intense clashes.
Iranian security forces have denied killing peaceful protesters, but opposition activist group 1500tasvir has posted videos it says show security personnel opening fire on protesters and beating a woman in Qazvin, south of Bandar Anzali.
