Demonstrations were staged across Western Balochistan and parts of Europe, marking the first anniversary of the violent crackdown in Zahedan, known as “Bloody Friday”, which resulted in numerous fatalities.
Political activists from Western Balochistan staged demonstrations in Berlin, London, and Sweden on Friday and over the weekend. Joined by Kurd and Ahwaz workers, they collectively called for an end to the alleged genocide and crimes against Baloch people, seeking international intervention.
Meanwhile, Zahedan, along with various other regions in Balochistan, witnessed rallies and demonstrations, as people took to the streets to pay tribute to those who lost their lives in last year’s tragedy on September 30th and to demand justice for them. During these demonstrations, numerous arrests were made this Saturday, with Iranian security forces intervening heavily in protests occurring across western Balochistan.
The grim events of the Zahedan tragedy, known as “Bloody Friday,” unfolded on September 30, 2022, when the IRGC and Iranian security forces reportedly opened fire on peaceful Baloch protesters, leaving over 100 dead and nearly 300 wounded.
The initial protests in Zahedan were triggered by an alleged sexual assault of a 16-year-old Baloch girl, in Chabahar by Iranian police. These protests were paralleled by demonstrations following the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Kurd, post her arrest in Tehran for an alleged breach of the country’s dress code.
The leading Imam of Zahedan, Molavi Abdul Hamid, labeled the Zahedan massacre as a crime against humanity and voiced concerns about the perceived lack of judicial independence in Iran.
In an online sermon, He said, “The people’s demand over the past year has been for those who committed this crime to be brought to justice … but judges don’t have independence in Iran.”
Molavi Abdul Hamid emphasized the relentless pursuit of justice by the people of Balochistan. He stressed the need for accountability for those behind the massacre, underscoring that the victims’ families seek justice, not monetary compensation.