Full Breakdown
The Abduction and Killing of Hamidreza Rajabzadeh
8/10/2026, 1:01:34 AM
The Abduction and Killing of Hamidreza Rajabzadeh
Iranian state media reported that Hamidreza Rajabzadeh—a singer supportive of the regime and a member of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ (IRGC) Basij paramilitary force—was abducted and killed. Two weeks after his disappearance, his family received a video circulated on anti-regime channels that shows him being tortured, spitting on him, and later appearing unconscious. The video includes text warning that the group behind it possesses the names and addresses of Basij members and informants. A separate earlier video identified a man as Rajabzadeh and depicted him being carved with a knife, accompanied by captions accusing him of rapes and killings. His body has not yet been returned.
Background on the Basij, IRGC and Opposition Groups
The Basij is a volunteer militia under the IRGC, often deployed in internal security operations. The IRGC-affiliated Fars News Agency linked the killing to a group called “Ashtara Zero Day,” which it said had begun paying individuals affiliated with the Mojahedin-e Khalq (also known as the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran) and supporters of the former Pahlavi monarchy to abduct and kill IRGC officials. The reports describe the group’s use of digital currency, including Bitcoin, to fund its operations. Earlier footage released by the same channels showed other Basij members tied, blindfolded, and regime-affiliated sites set alight.
Official Statements from Iranian Authorities
Deputy Interior Minister Aliakbar Pourjamshidian told reporters that the investigation into Rajabzadeh’s death was ongoing. Iran’s police, meanwhile, said they were still determining whether the killing had a “terrorist” motive. The differing accounts from the IRGC and police illustrate the lack of a unified official narrative at this stage.
Arrests and Evidence Presented
Four individuals have been arrested in connection with the killing, according to the reports. One suspect reportedly confessed to carrying out the act after being paid by a foreign “terrorist” group. The authorities have not released further details about the suspects’ identities or the status of any legal proceedings.
