At least 82 people have been killed since Friday in the crackdown on protest demonstrations against Iranian authorities in Zahedan, southeastern Iran, according to Amnesty International.
“Iranian security forces have illegally killed at least 66 people, including children, and injured hundreds of others after opening live ammunition and tear gas on protesters, bystanders and believers” during the Sept. Sistan-Baluchistan province, according to that organization.
Iranian forces have opened fire on unarmed protesters in Zahidan, western Balochistan, killing and injuring several. pic.twitter.com/E2EtDGZ2VO
– The Balochistan Post – English (@TBPEnglish) September 30, 2022
According to Amnesty International, since that date “16 other people were killed in separate incidents in Zahedan as part of the crackdown on these protests.”
Baloch protesters and Iranian forces continue to clash Saturday in Zahidan, western Balochistan. Gunshots and explosions can be heard in various parts of the city, while several Iranian helicopters are also in the air. pic.twitter.com/IMSIcoHUdr
– The Balochistan Post – English (@TBPEnglish) October 1, 2022
In addition, “elements collected from activists, victims’ relatives, eyewitnesses and images and videos from the demonstrations suggest that the true death toll in Zahedan may be higher,” the organization denounced, adding that “at least three children” have died. . since Sept 30.
“Most of the victims were shot in the head, heart, neck and torso, demonstrating a clear intent to kill or seriously injure,” Amnesty International emphasized based on the data collected.
According to Iran Human Rights, the protests were sparked by allegations that a police chief in the port city of Chabahar, also located in Sistan-Balochistan province, had raped a 15-year-old girl, Baloch Sunni.
The accusation was made public in September by a religious leader in the town of Rask, south of Zahedan, sparking protests that later spread to the main town in the region.
Media close to the Iranian government described the clashes in Zahedan as a “terrorist incident” targeting a police post that killed five members of the Revolutionary Guards, the Islamic Republic’s ideological army.
These clashes come as Iran is rocked by a wave of protests across the country over the recent death of Mahsa Amini, a young woman who was killed under police escort after being detained by Iran’s moral and customs police for violating the clothing of the Islamic Republic code.
Source: DN
