Zahedan Residents Protest Killing of 100 People in Nationwide Demonstrations
Since September 30, when nearly 100 people were killed by security forces in the most serious incident of the national protests that followed the passing of Mahsa Amini on September 16, Zahedan's citizens, the capital of Sistan and Baluchistan, have been participating in demonstrations every Friday. The 22-year-old Kurdish woman had been apprehended by the morality police in Tehran.[0] Activists reported a large presence of security forces in the restive city as hundreds of demonstrators took to the streets after Friday prayers, chanting slogans “Freedom, Freedom, Freedom,” “I will kill whoever killed my brother,” “We don't want a child murderer government” and “Political prisoners must be released.”[1]
The protesters gathered at different highways and intersections of Zahedan and demanded the immediate release of political prisoners and religious scholars including Maulana Abdul Majeed Muradzahi and Maulana Gorgej and Maulvi Fazlur Rahman Kohi.[1] Since September 30, forces led by the Revolutionary Guard have caused the deaths of at least 100 people in the area populated by the Baluch people. The most violent incident occurred in Zahedan.[2]
The people of Zahedan have vowed to continue their street demonstrations until the punishment of all the leaders and perpetrators of the massacre.[3]
0. “Sunni Leader Says Religion Is Failing The People Of Iran” ایران اینترنشنال, 18 Mar. 2023, https://www.iranintl.com/en/202303174265
1. “Zahedan's Sunni Cleric Calls For Human Rights Of “All Iranians” Be Respected” IranWire |, 10 Mar. 2023, https://iranwire.com/en/news/114646-zahedans-sunni-cleric-calls-for-human-rights-of-all-iranians-be-respected/
2. “Balochistan: Protesters demand release of political prisoners” Balochwarna News, 11 Mar. 2023, https://balochwarna.com/2023/03/11/balochistan-protesters-demand-release-of-political-prisoners/
3. “Iranian MP Urges Govt. To Bring Perpetrators Of ‘Bloody Friday’ To Justice” ایران اینترنشنال, 15 Mar. 2023, https://www.iranintl.com/en/202303153970
