A BODYBUILDER nicknamed the “Brad Pitt of Iran” has died after being shot in the eye during anti-regime protests.
Davood Soharabi was critically wounded during demonstrations on January 7 and rushed to hospital.
Doctors performed surgery to remove one of his eyes, but he fell into a coma soon after.
Fifty days later, with no signs of improvement, the 30-year-old died on Thursday.
Originally from the village of Yam in northeastern Iran, Davood moved to Tehran to work as a bodybuilding coach.
He regularly shared photos on social media and dreamed of becoming a model one day, earning him the nickname “Brad Pitt of Iran”.
Before becoming a bodybuilding coach, he worked as a motorcycle courier.
Just two hours before he was shot, he celebrated winning a silver medal at a bodybuilding competition.
In the aftermath of his death, his brother revealed on social media that their mother had been hospitalised after suffering a breakdown.
Minutes later, the post was deleted and his account suddenly went offline.
The family is reportedly under strict surveillance by the Iranian government.
According to reports, authorities have repeatedly pressured his relatives to declare that Davood was a member of the Basij.
This is a paramilitary volunteer militia within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
One source claimed officials are trying to “present him as a martyr”.
His funeral was held on Wednesday in Tehran with numerous Basij member and plainclothes intelligence agents in attendance.
One attendee said the ceremony was markedly different from others held for protest victims.
“Unlike the usual burials of other victims, which are typically rushed and last only a few minutes, this ceremony lasted about three hours,” they said.
“Both the organisation and eulogies were different from the norm
“The extended ceremony was carried out specifically to appropriate his name.”
Davood leaves behind his parents, his brother and a heartbroken girlfriend – who have donated his organs.
Many of his followers have paid tribute to Davood online.
One user wrote: “What a beautiful young man. God bless him and his family.”
Another added: “Heartbreaking! They are slaughtering our talented young brothers and sisters.”
