Mojtaba Veysi and Meysam Veysi, two Kurdish Yarsani brothers and cultural activists from Kermanshah, were killed by Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) forces in the village of Ghaleh-Kouhesh in Dalahu, Kermanshah Province, on 28 May.

The brothers had been living in hiding in recent months after taking part in the December 2025–January 2026 protests and facing the risk of arrest.

An informed source said: “On the morning of Thursday, 28 May 2026, after identifying the hiding place of Mojtaba and Meysam Veysi in Ghaleh-Kouhesh village, Dalahu County, IRGC forces, relying on information provided by affiliated local forces, raided the property where the two brothers were staying. During the operation, IRGC forces opened fire on the house where they were staying without prior warning and shot dead Mojtaba and Meysam Veysi.”

The source said the bodies of the two cultural activists were removed from the site of the attack by IRGC forces after their deaths and have not yet been handed over to their family.

Mojtaba and Meysam Veysi had left their home in the Darreh Drezh neighbourhood of Kermanshah after the December 2025–January 2026 uprising, amid intensified security pressure and the risk of arrest.

Darreh Drezh, on the outskirts of Kermanshah, was one of the main centres of the protests. It is a marginalised area where a large part of the population are followers of the Yarsan faith.

The two brothers had previously been repeatedly subjected to pressure, threats and arrest by security forces because of their cultural activities and participation in anti-government protests.

About a year ago, they helped establish the Darreh Drezh Kurdish library together with several other cultural and literary activists.

They sought to create a space for social solidarity and hope among children and young people in the deprived area through cultural and artistic activities, the promotion of reading and the organisation of collective programmes.

They were also among the organisers of the large Newroz 2025 celebration in Darreh Drezh.

Mojtaba Veysi was arrested by security forces on 5 March 2025 over his role in planning the event and was released on bail after about three weeks.

After his release, he remained under constant pressure and threats from security agencies.