Iran: man killed for celebrating FIFA World Cup defeat to USA, say activists

In a fresh instance of authoritarian violence in Iran, a man was allegedly killed for celebrating America's victory over Iran in the ongoing FIFA World Cup.

Activist group Iran Human Rights (IHR) said that 27-year-old Mehran Samak was "shot in the head" after honking his car horn in the coastal city of Bandar Anzali.

In a purported video of Samak's funeral, mourners reportedly shouted "death to the dictator" - a slogan seen as aimed at Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Iran has been gripped by massive protests since September. They were sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini, who was killed allegedly for violating the country's strict hijab rules.

The demonstrations have since widened from clothing rules for women, to other theocratic diktats. Iranian authorities have called the protests a conspiracy by its enemy nations.

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