Severe Criticism from Molavi Abdulhamid on Widespread Corruption and Increase in Executions: Fundamental Changes are Needed

As a security atmosphere prevails in Zahedan, Molavi Abdulhamid Ismailzahi, the Sunni Friday prayer leader of Zahedan, criticized the 'corruption', 'heavy embezzlements', and the increase in the number of executions in Iran, calling for 'fundamental changes' in the country. This influential Sunni cleric condemned the state of corruption in the country during his Friday sermon on December 8 at Maki Mosque in Zahedan, stating: 'Corruption has become so rampant that it cannot be stopped. While all segments of society are lamenting severe economic problems, heavy embezzlements are taking place in the country.' Molavi Abdulhamid referred to the $3.5 billion embezzlement of the Dabsheh tea as a 'financial scandal' and said: 'Corruption has become so widespread that some have dared to take this amount for themselves, and some tea traders have become destitute due to this corruption and embezzlement.' He stated that officials lack the ability to combat corruption, saying: 'To eradicate corruption in the country, fundamental changes are needed, and past policies do not work, and people want to select competent individuals.' The Sunni Friday prayer leader of Zahedan also criticized the increase in executions in Iran, deeming it a 'source of concern for the people' and stated: 'These executions do not conform to Sharia, and during the early days of Islam, executions were very few and rare.' As in previous weeks, a heavy security atmosphere was established in Zahedan, with security and law enforcement forces present in large numbers around Maki Mosque in Zahedan. On Fridays, reports of government forces' presence in Zahedan to prevent the start of protest marches on social media have been published. Since October 1, 2022, when agents shot at worshippers in Zahedan, resulting in the deaths of at least one hundred people and injuries to hundreds more, protest marches have been held every week after Friday prayers in Zahedan. So far, the efforts of the Islamic Republic forces to prevent the holding of protest Fridays in Zahedan have not succeeded, although sometimes, for the safety of attendees and at the request of Molavi Abdulhamid, these marches are held in silence. The tightening of the security ring to prevent protest Fridays in Zahedan continues; the criticisms of Molavi Abdulhamid persist. The funeral of three Baloch political prisoners who were executed on November 13 in Zahedan. The equipping of law enforcement in Sistan and Baluchestan with armored vehicles; users: for suppression. An official stated: 'Armored vehicles will be stationed in Sistan and Baluchestan.'