The brave Baluch people of Zahedan held protest rallies today and chanted slogans against the Iranian regime and its leader, Ali Khamenei, despite extreme measures to prevent any kind of protests and rallies.
October 20—Zahedan, southeast #Iran
More footage regime security forces deployed to crack down on locals trying to attend Friday prayers at the Makki mosque.#IranProtests pic.twitter.com/BYwZlVX7D9— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) October 20, 2023
In the morning, the regime had dispatched a large contingent of security forces, including anti-riot forces, to block roads leading to the Makki mosque, where people gather every week for Friday prayers.
Security forces attacked worshippers, beating them, using pepper spray and tear gas, throwing objects. Many were injured during the attacks, including children.
October 20—Zahedan, southeast #Iran
Children injured during the brutal attack by regime security forces against Friday prayers attendees.#IranProtests pic.twitter.com/pWiYXRxx0N— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) October 20, 2023
Security forces reportedly arrested many people. Security forces had blocked Khayam, Madani, Tohid, Modarres, and Khorramshahr streets. They also surrounded the people who were inside the mosque and started beating them and arresting them.
October 20—Zahedan, southeast #Iran
Regime security forces attack Friday prayer attendees, injuring several people and arresting others.#IranProtestspic.twitter.com/EXKjTzMfuF— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) October 20, 2023
They also sprayed paint on the people to later identify and arrest them.
However, the brave people of Zahedan resisted security forces and held their protest rally with chants such as, “We swear on the blood of our friends that we will stand till the end,” “Political prisoners must be released,” and “My martyred brother, I will avenge your blood.”
October 20—Zahedan, southeast #Iran
More footage of anti-regime protests.
"Down with the oppressor, be it the Shah or the mullahs," protesters chant#IranProtestspic.twitter.com/x3pGRIURNk— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) October 20, 2023
The protesters also reiterated their demand to live in a country that is devoid of tyranny of any kind with the slogan, “Death to the oppressor, be it the shah or the mullahs.”
As security forces tried to disperse the crowd, the protesters held their ground and chanted, “Basij and IRGC are like ISIS to us,” “Shame on you,” and “We are all together, we have no fear.”
October 20—Zahedan, southeast #Iran
More footage of today's anti-regime protest rally after security forces tried to prevent access to the Makki mosque.#IranProtests pic.twitter.com/kLUGFmKsgg— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) October 20, 2023
Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, the president-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), saluted the brave people of Zahedan for holding protests despite heavy security measures.
“The criminal mullahs, who shed crocodile tears for the Palestinian children, open fire and tear gas on Iranian youths and children in Zahedan. The people of Iran, however, are determined to overthrow the mullahs’ regime,” she said.
The criminal mullahs, who shed crocodile tears for the Palestinian children, open fire and tear gas on Iranian youths and children in Zahedan. The people of #Iran, however, are determined to overthrow the mullahs’ regime.
— Maryam Rajavi (@Maryam_Rajavi) October 20, 2023
Since the 2022 uprising, which began in September, Baluchestan has been one of the hotbeds of anti-regime protest rallies. On September 30, 2022, security forces in Zahedan opened fire on peaceful protesters, killing more than 100 people, including more than a dozen children. The massacre became known as the Bloody Friday of Zahedan.
Since then, protest rallies following Friday prayers have become a regular event in Zahedan and other cities of Sistan and Baluchestan. On the first anniversary of Zahedan’s Bloody Friday massacre, Baluch people in several cities across Sistan and Baluchestan province held anti-regime protest rallies. These rallies took place despite extensive security measures by the regime and heavy security presence in cities, especially on Zahedan. The regime had dispatched anti-riot forces and heavy weapons to prevent any kind of protest.
As on that day, the people of Zahedan once again proved that they are not afraid of the regime’s oppressive apparatus and are settling for nothing less than regime change and the establishment of a democratic republic.
