Conflicting Reports on the Death of a Protester in Saqqez Due to Gunfire from Government Forces

Reports received from some independent news sources and the Hengaw human rights organization indicate that a protester named Fardin Jafari, who was injured by gunfire from government forces in Saqqez on Saturday, September 16, has died in the hospital in this city of Kurdistan province. Earlier reports had suggested that his physical condition was improving in the hospital. According to a previous report by Hengaw, Fardin Jafari, a young protester from Saqqez, was shot in the head by government forces while traveling from this city to Baneh near the Aichi cemetery, and his condition was reported as critical. Additionally, some reports indicated an improvement in his condition after surgery. News sources in recent hours reported that all access routes to the Aichi cemetery were blocked to prevent the commemoration of Mahsa Amini's anniversary, and government agents are not allowing citizens to enter the cemetery or approach Mahsa Amini's grave. Published images also showed helicopters flying over the cemetery. Furthermore, security forces have blocked secondary routes to the cemetery by releasing water from a dam. The political deputy of the Kurdistan governorate confirmed the news of the direct shooting of Fardin Jafari by government forces, claiming that he was shot 'after entering a restricted area.' Published images on social media and reports from human rights organizations indicate widespread strikes by merchants in at least three provinces: Kurdistan, West Azerbaijan, and Kermanshah. Simultaneously, the situation in many cities of these three provinces has been reported as 'militarized,' and dozens of citizens have been arrested. Eyewitness accounts describe the establishment of 'martial law' and widespread strikes in the cities of Kurdistan. The presence of repressive forces and a security atmosphere in the Aichi cemetery in Saqqez on September 25 is noted, alongside videos attributed to the presence of repressive forces during the anniversary of Mahsa Amini's death and the strikes by shopkeepers in Saqqez.