A documentary video from Ardabil shows that the driver of a special unit (Yegan Vizhe) vehicle deliberately attacked protesters during the nationwide protests of 2025-2026, directly running over one person.
Iran Human Rights Society, Sunday, February 8, 2026 – During the suppression of the nationwide protests of 2025-2026 in Ardabil, a special unit vehicle affiliated with repressive forces deliberately and intentionally charged toward protesters and, by intentionally changing direction, ran over one individual. The condition of this person remains unknown.
Deliberate Attack by Heavy Vehicle on Protest Gathering in Ardabil
In a recently released video from the suppression of the nationwide protests of 2025-2026 in Ardabil, a clear scene has been recorded of a repressive vehicle driver’s deliberate action, charging directly toward protesters without any warning or stopping. The video, recorded on the ground, shows the vehicle moving at speed toward a group of people who were retreating.
Based on visual observations, as a group of protesters attempted to move away from the path of the heavy vehicle, one of them fell and ended up directly in the vehicle’s path. While two others quickly returned to help, the driver, without reducing speed or stopping at all, drove over the protester’s body.
Pursuit Movement of the Vehicle and Intentional Steering to Kill
In parts of the footage, it is visible that the driver of the special unit vehicle, in order to suppress and kill protesters during the nationwide protests of 2025-2026, turned the steering wheel and pursued them. This action indicates that the goal was not dispersal but the physical elimination of protesters. The vehicle’s steering was deliberately turned toward an individual fleeing the path, with no sign of any attempt to stop, warn, or even slow down.
According to eyewitness evidence, the type of vehicle was one of the armored and heavy models used by anti-riot units, which can easily cause death or amputation upon impact with a human body. These vehicles are designed for combat situations and should under no circumstances be used in urban spaces against citizens.
Unknown Status of the Run-Over Individual
To date, no official or unofficial information has been released regarding the status of the protester who was run over by the repressive vehicle’s wheels. Local sources report that immediately after this crime, repressive forces cordoned off the area and prevented any filming or assistance.
According to the same sources, it is unclear whether the run-over individual survived or was killed, but given the severity of the impact and the vehicle’s weight, the likelihood of survival is assessed as extremely low.
Repressive Forces’ Assault on Hospitals and Removal of the Injured
During the days of suppressing the nationwide protests of 2025-2026, reports emerged of security institutions storming medical centers in various cities. According to received information, these forces, aiming to identify the wounded and prevent information leaks, removed patients from hospitals without family consent.
In numerous cases, it has been reported that some injured individuals received “finishing shots” (coup de grâce) inside treatment centers. These actions appear intended to erase evidence of the suppression and physically eliminate eyewitnesses. Under such conditions, clarifying the fate of the Ardabil protester who was run over will be extremely difficult.
Censorship, Denial, and Structural Cover-Up Efforts
Past experiences show that the authorities systematically resist the release of information about suppression victims. Families are pressured, medical records are confiscated, and no independent body is allowed to investigate. In many cases, even death certificates have been issued with falsified information.
The same pattern is observed in the Ardabil incident. No official or government-affiliated authority has yet commented on this event, and controlled media have refrained from publishing the news.
Systematic Violation of Protesters’ Fundamental Rights in the Nationwide Protests of 2025-2026 in Ardabil
The deliberate use of an anti-riot vehicle to run over protesters is a glaring example of violating several key provisions in international human rights instruments.
- Violation of the right to life: Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights – Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.
- Violation of the prohibition of torture: Article 5 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights – No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
- Violation of the right to healthcare: Article 12 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights – the right to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health.
- Violation of the right to remedy and fair trial: Article 8 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights – Everyone has the right to an effective remedy by the competent national tribunals for acts violating the fundamental rights granted him.
See also the below articles:
- Arrest of Azar Mansouri by the IRGC Intelligence Organization in Qarchak
- Names and Details of 171 Detainees from Iran’s Nationwide Protests of 2026
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