Arrest of Five Baloch Individuals in Khash Following Security Forces' Shooting and the Killing of a Female Citizen

Hengaw; Friday, August 2, 2024

Saeid Mazarzehi, Abdolghafour Gomshadzehi, Majid Mazarzehi, Shahsavar Gomshadzehi, and Bahman Mazarzehi, five Baloch citizens from Khash, were arrested by Iranian security forces and transferred to an unknown location. The arrests followed the shooting by Iranian security forces at protesters, resulting in the death of a woman.

According to a report received by the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, on Monday, July 29, 2024, Saeid Mazarzehi (38 years old), Abdolghafour Gomshadzehi (30 years old), Majid Mazarzehi, Shahsavar Gomshadzehi, and Bahman Mazarzehi, five Baloch citizens from Qaderabad village in the Khash region of Sistan and Baluchestan province, were arrested.

As reported by the Haal Vash newsgroup, before the arrest of these individuals, security forces were inspecting the homes of the village residents. When the residents asked for a warrant, the forces responded negatively and fired at the protesting people.

As a result of this shooting, a woman named Zoleikha Gomshadzehi, 50 years old, was killed, and Allahbakhsh Gomshadzehi, 35 years old, Mobin Gomshadzehi, 16 years old, and Masri Gomshadzehi were severely injured.

Additionally, Saeid Mazarzehi, Abdolghafour Gomshadzehi, Majid Mazarzehi, Shahsavar Gomshadzehi, and Bahman Mazarzehi were violently arrested and transferred to an unknown location.

It is noteworthy that shortly after these events, Iranian government-affiliated media labeled the residents of Qaderabad village as "terrorists" with security charges, accusing them of collaborating with the "Jaish al-Adl" organization. This accusation was rejected by the protesting people.