Mehran Samak, the man who was shot dead by the Iranian regime's armed forces on Wednesday night in the port city of Bandar-e Anzali on the Caspian Sea, was a teammate of Iranian World Cup participant Saeid Ezatolahi in his youth.

Mehran Samak died after the Iran team lost 1-0 to the United States while in his hometown of Anzali to express his happiness at the Iran team's defeat.

Christopher Becker

sports editor.

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Oslo-based human rights organization Iran Human Rights said he was shot in the head.

Apparently Samak had taken part in a horn concert while sitting in the car.

The Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI), based in New York, confirmed that Samak was killed by security forces while he was celebrating.

The BBC released footage of Samak's funeral in Farsi on its channel's Twitter feed on Wednesday.

The mourners can be heard shouting "Death to the dictator!" and "You are dirt, you are immoral, I am a free woman!".

The slogans have accompanied the anti-Islamic Republic protests since Mahsa Amini's death in custody in mid-September.

After the departure of the Iranian national team, many Iranians expressed their opposition to the regime with rallies over the victory of the American team.

Many Iranians who have been taking to the streets for months for more freedom, civil rights and an end to the Islamic Republic had withdrawn their support for the Iranian World Cup team because they see the team as a regime team.

"Even a mirror is ashamed to see such people"

Saeid Ezatolahi made his connection to the victim of state violence public on Instagram.

Ezatolahi, who is under contract with Danish club Vejle BK, wrote: "I wish we could stay this age forever.

Without fights, without hate, without envy, without the struggle to put each other down.

Much to say, my childhood teammate.

Unfortunately, people are so drowning in envy and chaos that it is difficult to find an ear to listen.

After last night's defeat, the news of your death makes my heart burn.

Until now, as I write this, I have not slept.

My old friend, know that there is less humanity in this world every day.

There are only empty masks trampling on others,

to get what they want.

Where are the consciences, where is the soul of humanity?

There is much to say, rest assured that the day will come when the masks will come off and the truth about these people will come out, then they will have to answer your family and give an account of your mother's pain.

Condolences to your dear family.

Young people don't deserve this, my Iran doesn't deserve this.

It doesn't matter if you delight in people's suffering, but even a mirror is ashamed to see such people."

then they will have to respond to your family and give an account of your mother's pain.

Condolences to your dear family.

Young people don't deserve this, my Iran doesn't deserve this.

It doesn't matter if you delight in people's suffering, but even a mirror is ashamed to see such people."

then they will have to respond to your family and give an account of your mother's pain.

Condolences to your dear family.

Young people don't deserve this, my Iran doesn't deserve this.

It doesn't matter if you delight in people's suffering, but even a mirror is ashamed to see such people."

The 26-year-old Ezatolahi was called up to the Iran national team for the first time at the age of 18 and had already taken part in the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

In Qatar, he came on as a half-time substitute against England (6-2) and started against Wales (2-0) and the United States.