19-Year-Old Iranian Motorcycle Influencer Killed In Gorgan During Protest Crackdown

Last Updated:January 27, 2026, 09:37 IST

Iranian media say 19-year-old motorcycle influencer Diana Bahadori, was shot dead by security forces in Gorgan during a protest crackdown on January 9.

A file photo of Diana Bahadori (Social Media)

A teenage motorcycle influencer in Iran has been killed during a security crackdown there, local media reported.

According to IranWire and sources cited by Iranian media, Diana Bahadori, a 19-year-old from Gonbad-e Kavus known online by the nickname ‘Baby Rider’, was shot dead by security forces in the nearby city of Gorgan on January 9.

Bahadori had built a significant following on social media for showcasing her skills on powerful superbikes and for cultivating what admirers described as a striking and unconventional riding style.

A source told IranWire that Bahadori was struck twice by live ammunition around midnight.

Reports also suggested she had taken part in protests on the evenings of January 8 and 9, when demonstrations were reported in several parts of the city.

The crackdown on January 9 was described by the source as especially severe, with security forces allegedly using heavy weaponry, including machine guns, to disperse crowds.

Family members reportedly searched for Bahadori for two days following her disappearance before being handed her body on January 11, Iranian media said.

At the same time that reports of her death began circulating, a post appeared on Bahadori’s Instagram account offering a very different version of events.

The message claimed she had been killed in a traffic accident and urged restraint, stating, “The incident for dear Diana was due to a crash. The family is deeply grieving. Please do not create rumours."

However, the source cited by IranWire disputed that account and said the Bahadori family was facing intense pressure from intelligence and security agencies.

According to the report, she was buried quietly and without public ceremony, while relatives were compelled to publicly deny any state responsibility for her death.

Iranian media and activists have long alleged that in sensitive cases linked to protests, families are sometimes threatened in order to control public narratives.

The source told IranWire that such pressure can include warnings that other children in the family could be detained, or that authorities might withhold a victim’s body unless relatives record a so-called “confession" or publish prescribed statements on social media platforms.

Bahadori’s profile has also drawn attention in commentary surrounding her death.

Iranian outlets noted that she symbolised a group the Islamic Republic often regards as challenging, young, highly visible women who assert themselves in public spaces and cultivate independent identities online.

Her popularity as a motorcycle rider, in a society where women’s public expression is closely regulated, had made her a recognisable figure among Iranian youth.

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