Islamic Republic Prepares for Anniversary of Bloody Friday; Report from 'Hal-Vash'; Zahedan Surrounded by Earthworks and Trenches

As the first anniversary of 'Bloody Friday' in Zahedan approaches, security sources claim that the Islamic Republic's security apparatus is creating earthworks and trenches around Zahedan. The news website 'Hal-Vash' reported, along with images of construction machinery, that military and security forces continue strict measures by digging trenches and creating earthworks around the city of Zahedan. According to this news source, as the anniversary of 'Bloody Friday' nears, military and security forces have reinforced 'checkpoint' stations and increased their personnel in Zahedan. The report emphasizes that heavy vehicles are digging deep trenches and creating earthworks around this metropolis, which reportedly disrupts citizens' movement. Images released on the Hal-Vash channel highlight that 'deep trenches have been dug around the city and earthworks have been constructed to completely block secondary routes that occasionally ordinary people and fuel carriers use.' Yesterday, a video published by the 'Hal-Vash' website featuring Abdul-Ghaffar Naqshbandi showed him speaking about the necessity of a nationwide action across all of Balochistan as the anniversary of 'Bloody Friday' approaches. Media affiliated with the Islamic Republic reacted to this video by accusing some Baloch activists of paving the way for 'chaos' and comparing Abdul-Ghaffar Naqshbandi to Abdul-Malik Rigi, who was abducted by the Islamic Republic outside Iran and executed in Iran years ago. The son of Mowlavi Fathi Mohammad Naqshbandi, in a video released on Sunday, called on scholars and the general public to respond to the anniversary of 'Bloody Friday' in Zahedan by organizing protests on Friday and nationwide strikes on Saturday. Abdul-Ghaffar Naqshbandi stated, 'We did not shed blood to compromise; we shed blood to cleanse our land from bloodthirsty individuals.' He referred to the lack of prosecution and fair investigation into the 'Bloody Friday' case, saying, 'It is the duty of scholars and the general public to raise the cry of injustice after Friday prayers regarding that painful tragedy.' The 'Hal-Vash' website published a report yesterday listing officials believed to have played a commanding role in the 'Bloody Friday' tragedy in Zahedan. According to this report, eight of the 14 officials listed still hold their previous positions, while the others (except for one who was killed) continue to hold positions in the province or other institutions. Images circulated on social media depict a severe security atmosphere and the presence of military forces in Zahedan ahead of the anniversary of 'Bloody Friday.' Analysts say the Islamic Republic is preparing to confront and suppress any protests and ceremonies on the anniversary of 'Bloody Friday.' 'Bloody Friday' or 'Black Friday' is the day when the police in Zahedan massacred protesting worshippers. On October 8, 2022, Baloch people gathered in protest against the assault of a police commander on a Baloch girl in front of a police station, which, according to human rights sources, resulted in dozens of Baloch citizens being shot dead by direct police fire. Hossein Ali Shahriari, the representative of Zahedan in parliament, announced the death toll as 25, but the 'Baloch Activists Campaign' published the names of 95 individuals who were killed that day. In April of this year, the 'Hal-Vash' news website, which covers news related to Sistan and Baluchestan, reported that it had confirmed the identities of at least 121 individuals who were killed during the protests in Zahedan and Khash on 'Bloody Friday.' Previously, journalist Mehdi Nakhl Ahmadi told Voice of America that the Islamic Republic is trying to create division among protesters in Zahedan with material promises. Meanwhile, Rahim Bandoui, a member of the central council of the 'People of Balochistan' party, told the Persian section of Voice of America that Baloch citizens believe in the slogan they chant, 'Our silence is our death.' Human Rights Watch referred to the massacre on October 8, 2022, in Zahedan, known as 'Bloody Friday,' as 'the deadliest crackdown of the year.' The severe security atmosphere in Zahedan continues, with criticisms from Mowlavi Abdul Hamid and ongoing protest Fridays. The atmosphere remains tense as military forces are present in Zahedan ahead of the anniversary of 'Bloody Friday.'