Former footballer and his wife killed during protests in Iran

Former player of Tabriz-based Tractor football club Mojtaba Torshiz was killed along with his wife during ongoing anti-government protests in Iran.

According to reports circulating on Iranian social media, Torshiz and his wife were killed in clashes with Islamic Republic security forces. Posts claim they were targeted because of their support for the protest movement and expressions of solidarity with the Iranian people.

The U.S.-based rights group Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) said at least 2,403 people have been killed in Iran since the protests began in late December.

HRANA said the death toll includes 12 minors and that at least 18,137 people have been arrested during the unrest.

The group stressed that the figures are based only on confirmed cases and warned that ongoing internet restrictions in Iran mean the real number of victims could be significantly higher.