Former Toronto student killed by Iranian regime while protesting for human rights, community says

On a cold November evening outside the steps of a Toronto high school, members of the city's Iranian community gathered to remember a young life they say was cut short by the Iranian regime last week — a life they say now represents the struggle of all those fighting for their future in that country.

Ali Araghi, 22, studied in Canada for two years before having to return to Iran for personal and financial reasons, organizers said at a vigil Tuesday. A former student at George Vanier Secondary School, organizers said he dreamt of becoming a performer, loved singing and dancing, and hoped to one day return to Canada.

Instead, organizers say he was beaten to death on Nov. 16 by Iran's security forces while protesting for human rights. Iranian officials have reportedly told Araghi's family that he jumped to his death from from the fourth floor of a building — something organizers say is just another one of the regime's lies.

CBC News has not been able to independently verify the details of Araghi's death. 

"Ali's life was cut short because the murderers of the Islamic Republic want to hold onto power at any cost," Maryam Rahimi Shahmirzadi said, adding his story now serves as symbol of the sacrifices that so many in Iran, particularly young people, are making for their freedom.

Araghi's family, meanwhile, has been prevented from speaking about what led to his death — with several arrested even at his funeral, organizers said. 

CBC News has requested comment from Global Affairs Canada and the Toronto District School Board, and will update this story when a response is available.

In the months since the death of Mahsa Amini in September — the 22-year-old arrested for allegedly wearing her hijab incorrectly — the Iranian regime has conducted a brutal and deadly crackdown on human rights protestors. At least 426 people have been killed since and more than 17,400 arrested, according to Human Rights Activists in Iran, a group monitoring the unrest.

Roughly 100 people turned out to Tuesday's vigil for Araghi. Some knew him while others didn't, but felt compelled to show their support anyway, despite the risks.

Sophia Namvarzad was one of them.

"It's gotten to a point now that you can't imagine that its not you," she said, adding the fact that Araghi went to school in Canada makes it feel like the community here has lost a family member.

"We've all given up the right to go back home," she said. "All that we have to fight for is to give the future back to the youth, the next generation.... What is there left to do but fight for all the people that are left?"

Also present was Gisou Daneshmand, a teacher at Thornlea Secondary School, where Araghi had been a student before moving to George Vanier.

Daneshmand told CBC News Araghi had been a visa student and reached out to her when he needed help because she spoke Persian.