A soldier of his people by his own choice: Who was Ermia Lachiani, murdered by the Iranian regime?

Ermia Lachiani, a 24-year-old from Isfahan, Iran, is remembered as a young man whose kindness and empathy defined him, even as he pursued his dreams of becoming a renowned rapper. His mother shared that Lachiani's compassionate nature was his greatest strength, often prioritizing the suffering of others over his own well-being.

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In general, Ermia cared more about the suffering of others and his fellow human beings than about himself.

"In general, Ermia cared more about the suffering of others and his fellow human beings than about himself," his mother told The Jerusalem Post. She recalled instances where he was deeply affected by the inability of patients to afford medication, believing that true strength lay in kindness and being a 'big' person.

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When he worked at the pharmacy and saw people who couldn't afford specialized medication for their illnesses, it broke him. He believed in humanity and in being a ‘big’ person, that kindness is the truest sign of strength.

Beyond his humanitarian concerns, Lachiani harbored ambitions of musical stardom. He drew inspiration from artists like Eminem and Tupac, aspiring to be among the best in his field. His artistic spirit was also evident in his poetry, where he wrote, "I am a soldier of my people; not by force, but by my own choice."

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It didn't matter to him how long it would take; what mattered was that one day, his name would be heard alongside the best.

His mother noted his constant distress over the injustices he witnessed. "What set Ermia apart wasn’t just his big dreams; it was his massive heart," she said. He was killed on the night of January 9, after participating in protests against the Islamic regime, an act that followed his involvement in earlier demonstrations and a reported three-day hunger strike.

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I am a soldier of my people; not by force, but by my own choice.