Saro Ghahremani

Saro Qahremani, an Iranian Kurd, disappeared after participating in protests in Sanandaj in December 2017. Eleven days later, his family was informed of his death. The Qahremani family claimed that he had been detained by security forces during this period. However, officials of the Islamic Republic stated that he was killed in an armed conflict.

Saro Qahremani was born on 30 May 1993. It is reported that he was arrested in 2012 and sentenced to five years in prison, later reduced to two years. His arrest was attributed to connections with the Komala Party. After his release, he maintained his ties with Komala and was armed by the group. Some media outlets reported that he was a member of the Komala organisation.

In 2017, some sources reported Saro's arrest during the Sanandaj protests, but officials of the Islamic Republic denied this claim, only mentioning his involvement in an armed confrontation with checkpoint forces. According to officials, on 25 December 2017, Saro Qahremani allegedly threatened a Sanandaj citizen with a weapon and was pursued by law enforcement.

On 12 January, the Sanandaj Intelligence Office informed the Qahremani family of his death and requested them to collect his body. On 14 January, the governor of Sanandaj announced that Qahremani was killed in an armed confrontation with the police. This claim was confirmed by his father, though his mother believed he was killed under torture.

Saro Qahremani's body was buried in Sanandaj on 13 January. His memorial service was held under security measures and restrictions.

On 14 January, Qahremani's father stated that his son was a member of an armed Kurdish group opposing the Islamic Republic. Some family members claimed that the father's statements were made under pressure and threats.