Hengaw's Report on Protests in Baluchistan marking the Anniversary of "Zahedan’s Bloody Friday"

Hengaw; Friday, September 29, 2023

With just one day remaining until the anniversary of the bloody massacre of Zahedan, known as "Zahedan’s Bloody Friday," thousands of citizens in the city of Zahedan and several other towns such as Khash took to the streets after Friday prayers to continue stand their year-long protests. Iranian Security forces responded with their typical violent tactics, including direct fire at the protesters, resulting in injuries to several citizens.
 

According to the reports obtained by the Hengaw organization for Human Rights, on Friday afternoon, the 29th of September, 2023, protesters of Zahedan took to the streets demanding to hold those responsible for the massacre on “Zahedan’s bloody Friday” accountable. These protests escalated with the intervention of security forces.
 

According to published videos footage, some of which were also released by Hengaw, along with tear gas security forces targeted protesters with direct gunfire using lethal military weapons.
 

According to the news outlet “Hal-wash”, during the crackdown by government forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran at least 29 Baluch protesters were wounded, by direct shots including four children under 14 years of age. The tense situation in Zahedan has so far hindered the definite identification of the injured. Nevertheless, reports have emerged regarding Haseeb Rigi, a 13-year-old child who was injured due to direct gunfire by government forces.
 

Concurrently with the suppression of protesting citizens, dozens of Baloch citizens have been detained. To date, the identities of 11 of them have been confirmed as follows: Rmin Shahbakhsh (26 years old), Ismail Barahoui,Edris Gomshadzehi (21 years old),Ghafour Gorgich, Hareth Baloch, Ali Lajaei,Yaser ZafarNaroui (20 years old),Ahmad Mir Balochzehi (28 years old), Rahmatollah Kobdani, Ibrahim Kobdani, and Mohammad AliZehi.

Molavi Abdulhamid, a prominent Sunni religious leader in Iran and the Imam of Friday Prayers in Zahedan, has reiterated the importance of identifying and bringing to trial the perpetrators of the massacre of 105 Baluch protesters on Friday the 30th of September 2022.
 

Simultaneous with the protests in Zahedan, multiple armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran, which had recently brought in to Balochestan from various regions, were stationed on the streets of Iranshahr, Zahedan, Khash, Chabahar, and Soran, equipped with military gear.
 

In this regard, NetBlocks, a non-governmental organization monitoring internet restrictions globally, reported severe disruptions of the internet in Zahedan, along with systematic telecommunication shutdowns in Baluchistan.
 

During the past few days, Fadahossein Maleki, the representative of Zahedan in the Iranian parliament, had stated that Iranian government officials in Tehran had hindered his efforts over the past year to establish an investigative committee regarding the “Zahedan’s bloody Friday”massacre.
 

On Friday, September 30th, 2022, at least 105 Baluch protesters were killed by armed forces of Iranian government in less than an hour. This list includes 17 minors under the age of 18, and four women.
 

Despite all evidence of suppression and gunfire by government forces in Zahedan that was documented today, government-affiliated news agencies such as “Fars” news outlet have denied any protest rallies or direct gunfire by government forces on the protesters.