The brave Baluch people of Zahedan resumed the protest rallies after today’s Friday prayers and chanted slogans against the Iranian regime and its leader, Ali Khamenei.
The protests took place while the regime has taken extreme measures to prevent any kind of protests and rallies on the anniversary of the 2022 uprising.
According to the regime’s own media, security forces arrested hundreds of people in the past few days. There is especially heavy presence of security forces in Sistan and Baluchestan as we approach the anniversary of the “bloody Friday of Zahedan.” On September 30, 2022, security forces opened fire on peaceful protesters in Zahedan and killed more than 100 civilians, including more than a dozen children.
September 22—Zahedan, southeast #Iran
The Baluch people continue their anti-regime protests after Friday prayers.
Protester holding a placard commemorating the "Bloody Friday" of Zahedan, where security forces killed more than 100 people.pic.twitter.com/F6nXbHIYEp— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) September 22, 2023
On Friday, the protesters held placards in commemoration of the victims of the bloody Friday. And they chanted the slogan, “I will kill those who killed my brother!” making it clear that they will not forgive the regime for its crimes.
Protesters in Zahedan also chanted slogans against regime leaders, including Khamenei. At one point they were chanting, “Death to Khamenei!”
September 22—Zahedan, southeast #Iran
Brave Baluch people resume their protests, chanting, "Down with Khamenei!"#IranProtests pic.twitter.com/pjc34mxmRc— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) September 22, 2023
The protesters also chanted slogans against the Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) and the Basij, the two main institutions tasked with the suppression of protesters and dissidents.
In their slogans, the protesters compared the IRGC and Basij with ISIS.
The protesters also called for the release of political prisoners lingering in the regime’s dungeons.
September 22—Zahedan, southeast #Iran
The brave Baluch people resume their anti-regime protests after Friday prayers.
Protesters chanting, "The Basij and IRGC are like ISIS to us!"#IranProtestspic.twitter.com/ZC4XdKsePn— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) September 22, 2023
The regime has been ratcheting up measures to prevent protests or even commemoration ceremonies for the martyrs of the 2022 uprising. Many videos posted on social media show heavy presence of security forces at cemeteries and roads leading to cemeteries, meant to create an environment of terror and discourage people from attending memorial ceremonies for the protesters killed by security forces.
On Thursday, security forces in Qazvin raided the home of Javad Heydari, one of the martyrs of the uprising, on the anniversary of his death.
Videos posted on social media by Javad’s sister show security forces throwing rocks, using firearms and throwing tear gas canisters at the Heydari home. During the incident, children and elderly were harmed. Javad’s mother had to be taken to the hospital due to her critical conditions.
On September 22, 2022, security forces directly opened fire and killed Javad Heydari in Qazvin. Javad’s father had said, “Security forces shot my son from a rooftop. They shot him from behind. I ask the people of Iran to support the suffering families so that their rights are not trampled upon.”
