Outrage erupts over torture incident in Zahedan’s police station

By
Staff Writer
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In the wake of a video that surfaced on social media, showing a state law enforcement officer torturing a Baluch civilian inside Zahedan’s District 13 police station, Iranian netizens expressed immense anger and resentment.
In the wake of a video that surfaced on social media, showing a state law enforcement officer torturing a Baluch civilian inside Zahedan’s District 13 police station, Iranian netizens expressed immense anger and resentment.

 

In the wake of a video that surfaced on social media, showing a state law enforcement officer torturing a Baluch civilian inside Zahedan’s District 13 police station, Iranian netizens expressed immense anger and resentment.The video sparked calls for strong action against the oppressive State Security Forces. Within 24 hours, the armed forces’ judiciary announced the arrest of the errant soldier and the detention of others linked with the police station in Zahedan’s Shirabad district. The IRNA news agency further broadcasted a video where the provincial police chief is seen meeting the victim, seemingly seeking understanding and reconciliation.

However, activists in the Sistan and Baluchestan Province contested the statement regarding the removal of the Shirabad police chief, asserting he had been replaced days before the torture incident. The military judiciary, addressing the uproar, assured the public of strict and prompt action against any armed forces’ personnel found violating citizens’ rights.

 

 

This controversy coincides with the recent “Bloody Friday anniversary in Zahedan,” when Zahedan and surrounding cities in the Sistan and Baluchestan province witnessed demonstrations and skirmishes with the security forces.

Historically, the people of the Sistan and Baluchestan Province have borne the brunt of systemic negligence and discrimination from the ruling clerics. This has cultivated a spirit of staunch resistance in the populace. For instance, post the massacre of fuel porters by the IRGC border regiment in March 2021, widespread protests erupted, which eventually spread to other Iranian cities.

Further exacerbating tensions, on September 30, 2022, after the Friday prayer sermon in Zahedan, security forces fired into a crowd that had gathered to protest an assault by Ebrahim Kuchaki, the Chabahar police chief, on a young girl. This horrific event, leading to the death of around a hundred civilians, was subsequently termed the “Bloody Friday in Zahedan.”

 

 

Despite this tragedy and nationwide demands for justice, the regime’s judicial system has yet to take any concrete action. Instead, gestures like today’s from the SSF were applauded by many state officials, especially those who identify as “reformists”. They recommend that this conciliatory approach should be standardized.

However, critics argue that the regime’s actions only reiterate two points: firstly, the regime continues its oppressive methods, contrary to what its supporters claim; and secondly, the regime, as opposed to claims by Khamenei and IRGC commanders, is increasingly fragile, with its security forces seemingly fearing backlash from the people.

 

 

 

MEK Iran (follow us on Twitter and Facebook), Maryam Rajavi’s on her site, Twitter & Facebook, NCRI  (Twitter & Facebook), and People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran – MEK IRAN – YouTu

 

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