By Kayhan Life Staff
Omid Sarlak, a 25-year-old monarchist and student pilot from the western Iranian province of Lorestan, has died in what authorities have labelled a suicide, but his family, activists and human rights advocates describe as a killing by the Islamic Republic because of a public act of dissent on social media. His death has sparked widespread anger across Iran and accusations against regime officials and their agents.
The 33-second video, posted on Instagram, showed a young man dressed in black setting fire to a portrait of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic. As the image combusted, the voice of the late Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, could be heard saying: “I have raised the imperial flag of Iran high and more glorious than ever, and I will hand it over to the future Shahanshah of Iran, so that he too will proudly and honorably keep it aloft and pass it on to his successor. Eternal Iran has made me proud, and the nation of Iran will be more noble, vigorous, and prosperous.”
In the accompanying social media post, Omid Sarlak from Aligudarz in Lorestan, wrote: “How long humiliation? How long has poverty been? It’s time to take the plunge, youth.” Twelve hours later, Sarlak’s bruised and lifeless body was found in his car.
The Islamic Republic authorities have declared his death to be a suicide by handgun. State-affiliated media outlets, including Nour News (linked to the Supreme National Security Council) have dismissed allegations of foul play, and accused opposition groups of “inciting unrest.”
The Fars News Agency has claimed without evidence, that Sarlak was distraught over “romantic disappointment” and that the firearm found in his car belonged to him.
However, his family and human rights advocates have rejected the official account, calling it a cover-up. In a widely shared video, Sarlak’s father points to the spot where his son was found, repeating, “They killed my champion here.”
Referring to photos that showed Sarlak’s bloodied body inside a vehicle, former police officer Fariborz Karamizand said: “Omid Sarlak did not commit suicide; the regime staged the scene.” He added that evidence suggests Sarlak was killed outside the car and that his body was later placed inside, with a gun positioned on his leg to simulate suicide.
During Sarlak’s funeral, which took place on Nov. 3, thousands of mourners chanted “Death to Khamenei” and recited verses from the Shahnameh, a symbolic act of cultural defiance against the theocratic regime.
Some carried placards that read: “This withered flower is a gift to the homeland,” and shouted: “I will kill the one who killed my brother,” reflecting the community’s anger and grief. A heavy security presence indicated the government’s fears that the funeral would escalate into unrest.
In a message released on the day of the funeral, Prince Reza Pahlavi condemned the killing. He urged patriots to “expand their organization while observing security measures and prepare for the final battle.”
“Omid Sarlak was a hero in the tradition of Ariobarzan, Surena, and Arash the Archer — a courageous man who stood against the tyranny of the Islamic Republic and gave his life for the freedom of Iran,” Pahlavi said. “To the family and friends of Omid Sarlak: stay strong and steadfast; the day of justice is near. I stand with you in this struggle.”
The U.S. State Department’s Persian-language account also condemned the killing, stating: “The United States stands firmly with the people of Iran in their struggle for justice, dignity, and freedom.” The statement read, “The United States strongly condemns the horrific death of Omid Sarlak, a young Iranian man whose body — riddled with bullets — was found in Aligudarz shortly after he posted an anti-regime message on social media.”
Meanwhile, the day after Sarlak was laid to rest, Seyyed Ahmad Khatami, a member of the Assembly of Experts, condemned any kind of threat against Khamenei, describing it as moharebeh – waging war against God – and emphasized that such actions are punishable by death.
Sarlak’s death has sparked a social-media campaign by activists under the hashtag #IAmOmidSarlakToo. Campaigners have shared videos of themselves burning portraits of Khamenei. Among them is actor Hamid Farrokhnezhad, who declares: “To the memory of the immortal Omid Sarlak — down with the regime of oppression.”
