Shooting by Islamic Republic Forces at Protesters on the Anniversary of 'Bloody Friday' in Zahedan

On the anniversary of 'Bloody Friday' in Zahedan, clashes erupted between military forces and protesters in various cities of Sistan and Baluchestan province. Reports and images indicate that several protesters were injured following gunfire from government agents. The news outlet Halosh, which covers news related to Sistan and Baluchestan, reported that at least 23 protesters, including a child, were injured during demonstrations after Friday prayers on October 7. Social media posts show military forces equipped with heavy machine guns in the streets of Zahedan. According to reports from Baluch activists, protesters took to the streets in at least three cities: Zahedan, Khash, and Taftan, chanting slogans against the government and the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic. Images released by the 'Baluch Activists Campaign', which reports on news related to the Baluch minority, show that government agents fired plastic bullets and tear gas at the protesters. Reports indicate that government agents shot at the protesters while the protesters threw stones back at them. Prior to these clashes, protesters in Zahedan had demonstrated and shouted slogans against the Islamic Republic. Reports indicate that people in Khash also clashed with government agents. According to Halosh, government agents have engaged in 'widespread and mass arrests' of citizens on the anniversary of Bloody Friday. No exact statistics have been provided regarding the number of detainees. Halosh also reported on the transfer of the injured to medical clinics, with images showing the transfer of the injured to Makki Mosque in Zahedan. Despite the evidence showing government agents shooting at protesters, government-affiliated media have reported conflicting news about the shooting in Zahedan. While the state news agency IRNA denied the occurrence of shooting by agents in the city, the Tasnim news agency, close to security institutions, reported on 'the throwing of tear gas and aerial shooting' by agents. Baluch news sources had previously reported the extensive transfer of military forces to Zahedan. The 'Protest Fridays' in Zahedan began after security forces killed dozens of worshippers in the city on Friday, October 8, 2022. This day became known as 'Bloody Friday in Zahedan'. Since then, Molavi Abdolhamid has criticized officials, institutions, and the policies of the Islamic Republic in his Friday prayer sermons. The slogan 'Basij, Sepahi, you are ISIS' was chanted on the anniversary of Bloody Friday in Zahedan, amidst the sound of gunfire and the chant 'the killed are God’s light, at the hands of a few mercenaries'. Molavi Abdolhamid called for the release of prisoners and for their voices to be heard, urging that the people's problems be solved to foster national unity.