The regime has refused to release the body of a young man security forces killed last week unless his cousin, the mother of another dead protester, turns herself in. 

According to exclusive information obtained by Iran International, Mahmonir (Zaynab) Molaei-Rad, the mother of Kian Pirfalak, a nine-year-old boy murdered during protests in November, has been summoned by the intelligence organization of her hometown Izeh, in the oil-rich province of Khuzestan, for Sunday morning. 

It is not clear what fate awaits her at the intelligence agency’s office but it is likely the regime hopes to silence her in exchange for the body of her dead cousin. Authorities have told the bereaved family that they would release the body on Saturday but instead they arrested more members of the family. 

Pirfalak died when security forces fired at his family car for no apparent reason. Almost overnight, the child became a symbol of regime brutality on social media and during street protests. 

His mother’s cousin, Pouya Molaei-Rad, was killed as security forces opened fire at his car last Sunday as people of Izeh tried to gather at the cemetery to commemorate him on his 10th birthday. 

Regime’s hardliners have been blaming Kian’s mother for the incident. Vocally against authorities since her son was killed, as Perfalak was laid to rest on November 18, his mother made a fiery speech at the graveside, conveying a strong message of protest against Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei who she held directly responsible for her son’s killing.