Archive · 5 Nov 2025
Iranian Man Who Burned Khamenei's Picture Found Dead
A man in Iran named Omid posted a video online where he burned a picture of the country's top leader.
Soon after, he was found dead from a gunshot.
The police say he shot himself.
But, many people at his funeral believe he was killed because of what he did.
They even shouted that the leaders killed him.
This is not the first time people have accused the Iranian government of silencing those who disagree with them.
There have been other cases over the years where people who spoke out against the government have disappeared or been killed.
The government has denied these accusations in the past.
Recently, a UN report mentioned a crackdown in Iran and an increase in executions.
It's a very sad situation with very different stories about what happened.
Omid Sarlak was found dead from a gunshot wound hours after posting an Instagram story of himself burning a picture of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei.
Iranian state media and police report that Sarlak died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, with a pistol found near his body.
Opposition media and mourners at Sarlak's funeral chanted slogans suggesting he was murdered, including "they killed him!" and "death to Khamenei."
The incident occurs amidst a history of allegations against the Iranian government concerning the killing and disappearance of dissidents.
A UN report notes a domestic crackdown in Iran following recent events, along with the highest number of executions since 2015.
- Who
- Omid Sarlak, an Iranian man
- What
- Found dead with a gunshot wound hours after posting a video of himself burning a picture of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei. Official reports state suicide, while opposition sources suggest murder.
- When
- Hours after posting the video on Instagram.
- Where
- Aligudarz, Iran
- Why
- Conflicting accounts: official cause is suicide, while opposition alleges murder potentially linked to political dissent.
Opposition Media and Mourners
Iranian State Media and Police
Cause of Death
Opposition Media and Mourners
Mourners at Omid Sarlak's funeral shouted slogans like "they killed him!" and "death to Khamenei," suggesting he was murdered.
Iranian State Media and Police
Aligudarz police chief stated that Omid Sarlak was found dead in his car from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, with a pistol nearby.
Historical Context of Dissident Killings
Opposition Media and Mourners
Allegations of Iran's government killing dissidents have a history, including murders and disappearances of intellectuals from 1988 to 1999, with the UN reporting a domestic crackdown and a rise in executions.
Iranian State Media and Police
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei has previously dismissed similar allegations as the work of "Iran's enemies," and in the past, intelligence ministry officials were found guilty of such offenses.
- Deceased
- Omid Sarlak
- Action Leading to Incident
- Posted Instagram story burning a picture of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei
- Location of Discovery
- In a car in Aligudarz
- Official Report
- Self-inflicted gunshot wound with a pistol
- Mourner Slogans
- "they killed him!" and "death to Khamenei"
- Related Context
- Allegations of Iran's history of dissident killings and a recent UN report on domestic crackdowns and rising executions.