Molavi Abdolhamid Criticizes the Conduct of the Trial for the 'Bloody Friday of Zahedan' Defendants; Commanders and Agents from the IRGC and Basij Not Held Accountable

The Sunni Friday prayer leader of Zahedan announced the holding of the trial for the defendants of the 'Bloody Friday of Zahedan' on his personal social media page and criticized the lack of accountability for the commanders and agents from the IRGC and Basij. Molavi Abdolhamid Ismail Zehi wrote: 'The trial for this crime has been held after a long wait, summoning only a few members of the police forces.' This Sunni cleric emphasized that 'the commanders of this crime and the agents from the IRGC and Basij have never been held accountable.' Molavi Abdolhamid also criticized the delay in holding the trial and the manner of handling this case. Official government sources have not yet published more information regarding this trial and its details. Previously, Molavi Abdolhamid, the Sunni Friday prayer leader of Zahedan, had called for the prosecution of all those responsible for the 'Bloody Friday' incident in his Friday sermon on February 9. He noted that people expect the judge to hear only the truth and not be under pressure from any organization or authority. Government forces of the Islamic Republic shot dead dozens of worshippers in Zahedan on Friday, October 1, 2022. Following this, the day became known as 'Bloody Friday of Zahedan' and was accompanied by protests from worshippers in the following Fridays. After the killing of about 100 Zahedani worshippers during 'Bloody Friday,' the city has witnessed anti-government protests every Friday. Molavi Abdolhamid, the Sunni Friday prayer leader of Zahedan, also criticizes the policies of the Islamic Republic and high-ranking officials of the government and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in his Friday sermons every week. Molavi Abdolhamid: The people of Iran are dying from poverty and hunger. Molavi Abdolhamid: Executions and killings have not deterred the people of Iran from pursuing their demands. Molavi Abdolhamid's repeated criticism of widespread corruption and disqualifications: Military personnel cannot govern the country. The problems in Sistan and Baluchestan are never-ending; earthquakes have come, and new floods are on the way. Security forces prevented Molavi Abdolhamid from visiting flood-affected areas. The prison sentence for the cameramen of Makki Mosque in Zahedan has been confirmed. Molavi Abdolhamid: Political killings and executions have not deterred the people from their demands.