Shooting by 'Security Forces' at Nowruz Gathering in Kermanshah; One Citizen Killed by 'Direct Fire' of Law Enforcement in Karaj

News sources reported the death of a citizen and the injury of three others due to direct fire from Islamic Republic agents in the provinces of Alborz and Kermanshah. According to the Hengaw website on Tuesday, April 6, following 'direct fire from law enforcement' at a vehicle under pursuit 'on suspicion of carrying drugs' in the Unity Town on Saturday, April 4, a citizen identified as 'Sahand Kargar, 25 years old' was killed and his companion named 'Payman' was 'severely injured.' Unity Town is located in the southeastern part of Karaj city in Alborz province. The report states that the shooting at the vehicle carrying these two citizens occurred 'during a chase.' It was mentioned that Sahand Kargar was from the Shahin Shahr district in Kermanshah province and the injured individual was a relative of his. The Hengaw website, citing 'an informed source,' reported that 'the mentioned vehicle was sprayed with bullets by law enforcement on Boulevard of the Unity Police Station in Karaj, and Sahand Kargar was shot directly in the head by these forces,' while Payman 'was hit by three bullets and is currently under medical care.' This is not the first time that government agents have shot directly at citizens' vehicles under the pretext of 'suspiciousness.' The hasty shooting by agents at vehicles has previously resulted in the deaths of several citizens, including children. Additionally, the news agency Kurdpa reported on Tuesday, April 6, that following 'indiscriminate shooting by security forces' in Kermanshah, two individuals were injured at a gathering of 'dance and joy' among a group of young people. According to this report, on the evening of Thursday, April 2, 'a gathering of citizens in the Eastern Park in the Zafar neighborhood of Kermanshah' escalated into 'protests and clashes' due to the intervention of agents from an intelligence agency, and 'in response to the protests of these citizens,' government forces 'opened fire on them.' The identities of the injured citizens in this report were given as 'Mohammad Ahmadiani and Arman Basiri, residents of Kermanshah.' According to this report, these two injured citizens 'are currently hospitalized in the Bistoon Hospital in Kermanshah under the supervision of security forces,' and 'Arman Basiri's condition is critical.' The report also stated that intelligence officials informed the families of these two injured citizens that a legal case would be opened against them under the title of 'insult and threat against security forces.' With the beginning of the new solar year, a significant number of citizens gathered in historical and cultural sites and in public spaces in some cities of Iran to dance and celebrate. These Nowruz gatherings have, in some cases, elicited reactions from government officials. For instance, a human rights source reported that a Kurdish artist was 'arrested and beaten' by the intelligence office of Boukan after 'singing a song' at Nowruz ceremonies in Saqez and Boukan. Additionally, it was reported that a Kurdish singer was 'beaten' by intelligence agents after performing 'a song' at Nowruz ceremonies. Exclusive: A young woman was killed in Aligudarz by the shooting of a law enforcement officer at a vehicle. Two fuel carriers were killed due to military shooting near Zahedan. A human rights organization reported that a Kolbar was killed due to unprovoked shooting by border guards in Kermanshah. The Berkeley Human Rights Center reported that over 120 Iranians were shot in the eye during the 2021 protests. Political and civil activists congratulated: Mahdi Maskin-Navaz expressed hope that this year would coincide with the presence of a fact-finding committee in Iran.