Government Officials Claim: Arrest of 'Divisive Mourner' in Qom and Transfer to Zahedan

The public prosecutor of Zahedan announced the arrest of an individual in Qom in response to widespread protests from the Sunni community over the broadcast of a clip featuring 'divisive' content. According to state media, this mourner, who was being pursued for disseminating a clip with 'divisive content between Shia and Sunni', is set to be transferred to Zahedan for further judicial proceedings. In a clip released a few days ago, the mourner insulted Molavi Abdolhamid and the Maki Mosque in Zahedan, which is a venue for Sunni religious gatherings in the province's capital. In the released video, the mourner stated that praying in the Maki Mosque is akin to 'adultery' and that one cannot 'eat the bread of Abdolhamid.' In this clip, recorded at a gathering in Qom, he referred to the Maki Mosque as a 'Mosque of Harm.' According to reports, Mehdi Shamsabadi, the prosecutor of Zahedan, announced that a case had been opened in the Zahedan prosecutor's office based on a report from the Intelligence Organization of the IRGC in Sistan and Baluchestan. Shamsabadi claimed that this case was referred to the Qom prosecutor's office by proxy, and after an arrest warrant was issued, the accused was arrested by the IRGC intelligence in Qom. The Zahedan prosecutor promised that the accused would soon be transferred to Zahedan to undergo judicial procedures. This comes at a time when similar cases have rarely reached the indictment stage in the past or have been dismissed with minor penalties. Mostafa Mohammadi, Khamenei's representative in Sistan and Baluchestan, also described the mourner's content as an example of 'English Shia' in response to local people's reactions and called for 'unity.' Meanwhile, the Salman IRGC intelligence organization announced that necessary follow-ups had been conducted from the beginning, and a case had been opened against this mourner. Molavi Abdolhamid reacted to these insults by stating, 'We do not respond to insults and curses, but we do not leave accusations unanswered.' It is noteworthy that Molavi Abdolhamid, the Sunni Friday prayer leader of Zahedan, previously criticized the Islamic Republic's approach towards Sunnis, stating that despite demands for justice over the past 44 years, 'unfortunately' there has been no justice and equality for Sunnis. According to Molavi Abdolhamid, Sunnis still do not have a mosque in the capital of Iran, and there is 'pressure' in Sunni prayer rooms in Tehran. He had told the Islamic Republic officials, 'You should have given Sunnis freedom' and should not have made mosques and prayer rooms 'security-oriented.' Additionally, the section regarding Iran in the U.S. State Department's report on religious freedoms mentions multiple instances of violations and suppression of religious freedoms by the Islamic Republic of Iran. This report addresses pressures on Baha'is, Christian converts, dervishes, and Sunnis as well. Saeed Hadadian, a government mourner, stated that Mohsen Tanabandeh thanked Googoosh for her call regarding the series 'Paytakht.' Hamidreza Alimi, another mourner, mentioned that some mourners earn billions during the month of Muharram. India condemned Khamenei's remarks regarding the treatment of Muslims in that country. An attack on a journalist in Sanandaj; Ejlal Ghavami stated that the assailant said he would kill all opposition. The annual report on 'International Religious Freedom' by the U.S. State Department states that the suppression of religious minorities in Iran continues.