Sahba Rashtian

Sahba Rashtian (c. 2002/2003 – 19 Dey 1404 / 9 January 2026) was a twenty-three-year-old from Isfahan, a graduate in animation from the University of Art of Isfahan, an official assistant referee in women's football, and active in athletics and fitness. Iran International and memorials say she refereed provincial matches and youth national-team talent programs. She told those close to her she dreamed of one day refereeing at a World Cup. On Friday 19 Dey 1404, BBC Persian, citing a source informed of the family, reports she was standing near home with her mother and sister when security forces shot her in the side. Iran International and the Shahidan-e Ghiyam memorial blog likewise place the killing in Isfahan that Friday. After days of pressure, her body was buried on Thursday 25 Dey 1404 (15 January 2026) in Bagh-e Rezvan, Isfahan. A video of her mother mourning at the grave spread widely: «این حور و پری را ۲۳ سال خودم پروردم که در قبر نگاهش کنم؟» On what would have been Sahba's birthday (29 Khordad 1405), her mother said at the grave: «دخترم ۲۳ ساله ماند، قلبشان بسوزد.»