A 40-year-old Iranian man, Hesam Alaeddin, has died after reportedly being beaten by Iranian security forces following his arrest for allegedly using Starlink satellite internet to bypass the regime’s digital blackout.
According to reports, Alaeddin was detained in Tehran after attempting to retrieve electronic devices seized from him at a hospital. He had been there checking on his brother, who was shot during anti-regime protests.
A week later, authorities arrested him, took him to his home, and carried out a violent interrogation. He was allegedly beaten with various objects and died from his injuries. Officials reportedly concealed his death, continuing to treat him as if he were still alive in custody.
Alaeddin came from a well-known and affluent family and was related to one of the owners of a major shopping center in Tehran, highlighting that even prominent families are not immune to the regime’s crackdown.