Zahidan Prosecutor Denies Arrest of Sepehr Shirani and His Death in IRGC Prison

Mehdi Shams Abadi, the prosecutor of Zahidan, denied the arrest of 19-year-old student Sepehr Shirani following the discovery of his lifeless body 48 hours after his detention by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) intelligence agents. The website 'Halosh,' which covers news from Sistan and Baluchestan province, reported that the security apparatus of the Islamic Republic is attempting to portray Shirani's death as a suicide, while the family of the deceased Baluch youth is currently under pressure from security forces. 'Halosh' reported on Thursday, February 1, that Sepehr Shirani, who was arrested in Zahidan 'due to his activities on social media,' 'died under torture.' According to news sources, the Zahidan prosecutor, while denying and refuting the arrest of Sepehr Shirani, stated: 'This individual has no history of imprisonment or arrest, and no security agency has arrested him, and based on initial information, the cause of death has been declared as suicide.' Meanwhile, Halosh wrote: 'Sepehr left his home on Tuesday, January 30, around 4 PM, and his phone was turned off. After inquiries and follow-ups, his family confirmed his arrest by the IRGC intelligence and were informed that the reason for his arrest was his activities on social media.' Halosh also quoted a source close to Sepehr Shirani's family, stating that IRGC intelligence agents have pressured the Shirani family to accept the narrative of the security agencies regarding their son's death and to remain silent. According to published information, security agents had warned and cautioned this deceased young man regarding his activities on social media and his presence in the security of Makki Mosque, as well as his support for the protests on Fridays in Zahidan. Early on Wednesday, February 1, the lifeless body of Sepehr Shirani was found, having been shot in the head. Government agents arrested a 'prominent blogger' in Zahidan. The discovery of the body of the detained protester in Zahidan; a human rights source: Sepehr Shirani collaborated with Makki Mosque.