Two Political Prisoners Face Execution in Zahedan Prison

Mohammad Zeineddine and Adham Narui, currently incarcerated in Zahedan Prison, are under the threat of execution following the confirmation of their death sentences by Iran’s Supreme Court in November 2023.

In March 2023, the Criminal Court of Zahedan sentenced Zeineddine and Narui to the death penalty for “enmity against God (Moharebeh) through armed action.” On November 20, 2023, this verdict was upheld by the Supreme Court.

Security forces apprehended Zeineddine in September-October 2020 and Narui on May 25, 2021, in Lashar, Sistan and Baluchestan Province. After completing the interrogation process in a security detention facility, they were transferred to Zahedan Prison and are currently held in Ward 9.

Subsequently, they were accused of killing three security forces, an allegation they consistently denied throughout the trial.

A reliable source close to the family of one of the prisoners has confirmed to HRANA: “Mohammad and Adham are innocent, and the charges against them are unfounded. Earlier, during a confrontation with security forces in the Sirchah region, several relatives of Mohammad were killed, resulting in the death of three security personnel. In this confrontation, the individual who had shot at these three officers was also killed. However, these two individuals, who had no involvement in this incident, were arrested.”

The source further added that the families of these prisoners have been subjected to verbal insults by judicial officials during their inquiries about the well-being and condition of their sons.

At Least Ten Individuals Detained by Security Forces in Pishin

Pishin, Sistan and Baluchestan province—On December 18, 2023, security forces took into custody a minimum of ten individuals during a religious observance held in a mosque, as reported by Haal Vsh.

Following the morning prayer, a group of plainclothes personnel reportedly conducted a raid on a mosque in Pishin, apprehending at least ten citizens. These individuals were in the midst of their second week of I’tekaf, a period of Islamic practice involving a stay in a mosque.

As of now, the rationale behind their detentions, the identities of those arrested, and the location where they are being held remain undisclosed. Authorities have yet to provide information on these critical aspects of the incident.

Two Civilians Fatally Shot by Military Forces in Sistan and Baluchestan Province

On November 16, two tragic incidents unfolded in the Sistan and Baluchestan Province, where military forces, without warning, fired upon civilians, resulting in fatal outcomes in Hirmand and Iranshahr counties, as reported by Haal Vsh.

In the vicinity of Iranshahr, military forces opened fire on a vehicle traveling on the road, claiming the life of 18-year-old Matin Narui (Narooie) with a gunshot to the head.

In a separate incident on the same day, 45-year-old Amir Safari (Sarani) was fatally shot in the chest in a village within Hirmand County. Responding to a gunshot, he and fellow villagers emerged from their homes, only to be met with gunfire from military forces positioned in a watchtower. Amir Safari, located just 100 meters from his residence, succumbed to the injuries sustained. The family’s inquiries into the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident remain unanswered by local authorities.

Disturbingly, these incidents add to a concerning trend. According to data compiled by the Center of Statistics of Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA), a total of 845 individuals were shot by military forces in 2022. Of these victims, at least 571 lost their lives, including 22 Kolbar, 9 fuel carriers, and 540 civilians. Additionally, 274 people suffered injuries from military forces’ gunfire, comprising 134 Kolbar, 128 civilians, and 12 fuel carriers. The need for transparent investigations and accountability in these matters is paramount to address the alarming frequency of such incidents.

Five Individuals Arrested by Security Forces in Saravan

On Tuesday, September 5, 2023, security forces apprehended five individuals in Saravan, Sistan and Baluchestan province, and transported them to an undisclosed location, as reported by the Baloch Activists Campaign.

These individuals have been identified as Issa Mazarzahi, Jasem Mazarzahi, Ghasem Mazarzahi, Zaker Mazarzahi, and another individual with the last name Mazarzahi (first name unknown).

According to the report, Ministry of Intelligence agents arrested them separately at their residences. They are reportedly facing allegations of “collaboration with anti-regime groups.”

The precise location of their detention remains undisclosed at this time.

Two Citizens Arrested by Intelligence Agents in Fanuj

On May 14, 2023, intelligence agents apprehended Abdolsattar Raisi and Nima Javadifar in Fanuj, taking them to an undisclosed location.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, citing Haal Vsh, Abdolsattar Raisi (19) and Nima Javadifar (19) were reportedly arrested in Fanuj, Sistan and Baluchestan province on May 14, 2023.

Sources indicate that these individuals were taken into custody at their residences, and their families’ inquiries regarding their whereabouts and conditions remain unanswered. The reasons behind their arrests and allegations against them remain unknown.

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Five Cross-Border Fuel Carrier (Sookhtbar) Killed by IRGC Forces

On February 7, IRGC forces killed at least five cross-border fuel carriers (Sookhtbar) by shooting in Iranshahr, Sistan and Baluchestan Province.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting the Baloch Activist Campaign, at least five individuals carrying fuel across the border were killed by IRGC forces in Iranshahr.

The IRGC forces reportedly began shooting at their vehicle without any warning, setting the car ablaze, and five people died.
The victims’ identities are unknown at the time of writing.

According to HRANA’s annual report, in 2022, a total of 845 people were shot by military forces. At least 571 of the victims lost their life.

This includes 22 kolbars, 9 fuel carriers, and 540 civilians. 274 people were injured by military forces open fire, including 134 kolbars, 128 civilians, and 12 fuel carriers.

Three Individuals Arrested and Accused of Association with Foreign Intelligence Services

The Ministry of Intelligence announced that three individuals have been arrested and accused of “association with foreign intelligence services.”

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Fars News Agency, three individuals were arrested in Sistan and Baluchestan Province allegedly for “association with foreign intelligence services.”

Without mentioning any details about the individuals arrested, the Ministry of Intelligence’s statement  stated, “these individuals who are associated with Israel’s intelligence service have published classified documents.”

Although the prosecution of individuals for espionage is not considered a violation of human rights, there are concerns about the validity of these allegations due to the frequent use of such accusations by the Iranian regime to suppress its political dissidents and due to the ambiguities in legal proceedings and the lack of transparency about such legal cases.  

Inmate Executed in Shiraz Central Prison

On Tuesday, November 2, an inmate who had been previously convicted of murder was executed in Shiraz Central Prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Rasank news outlet, 23-year-old Mohammad Raisi was a resident of a village in Sistan and Baluchestan Province.

“Last night, Mohammad called his family to tell them that he has been transferred to the quarantine section of the prison,” an informed source was quoted as saying in the report. “This morning, his family came to Shiraz to receive his body from prison officials, but they were referred to a hospital mortuary.”

The most recent report of the Statistics and Publication Center of the Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA) states that between October 8 of 2020 and October 9 of 2021, at least 266 citizens, three of whom were juvenile offenders, were executed and 90 citizens were sentenced to death.

As the report points out, Iran’s judicial authorities do not publicly announce over 82% of executions. These unreported executions are known as “secret executions” by human rights organizations.

Raisi’s execution has not been reported by official sources in Iran as of this writing.

 

Cross-Border Fuel Carrier Shot Dead In Bashagard by Military Forces

On Wednesday, September 29, military forces opened fired and killed a Sookhtbar (cross-border fuel carrier) in Bashagard City in Sistan and Baluchestan Province.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Resanak, he was carrying fuel with his car when the direct shooting of military forces (called Mersad Forces) towards the car led to his death. The report identifies the victim as Behzad Balavar.

HRANA’s annual human rights report has specifically documented cases in which military forces’ use of live ammunition against citizens has led to their injury or death.

According to the 2020 report, other than material damages like loss of pack animals due to road accidents, frost, or avalanche, 36 cross-border carriers (Kolbars) and  fuel porters (Sookhtbars) , and 33 regular citizens have been killed by the regime’s military forces. 130 people have been injured due to unlawful shootings from which 109 were Kolbars, 16 regular citizens, and 5 fuel porters.

 

 

Two Citizens Violently Arrested by Security Forces Without a Warrant in Zahedan

On September 26, Yaser Narouie and Yasin Narouie were beaten and arrested by security forces in Zahedan.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting the Baloch Activists Campaign, the report quoted an informed source as saying, “Agents beat and arrested the two citizens in Khavar mall of Zahedan in Sistan and Baluchestan Province without showing a court order and transferred them to the office of C.I.D Police of NAJA in handcuff and shackles.”

As of this writing, no information is available on the reasons for the detention of these citizens.