Mowlavi Fathi Mohammad Naqshbandi, the Imam of Rask, has been held in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad for over 14 months, remaining in a state of uncertainty. He was arrested on August 20, 2023, while traveling from Rask to Chabahar by security forces. His arrest is believed to be due to his critical stance against the regime’s suppression of public protests, especially following the events of the “Bloody Friday in Zahedan.”
On the day of his arrest, Naqshbandi was summoned by authorities under the pretext of resolving his family’s fuel quota issues. However, he was detained at a police checkpoint in Nobandiyan, where he was subjected to humiliation. Since his detention, there have been reports of torture and his deteriorating physical condition, raising widespread concerns among activists and the people of Balochistan.
After months of no contact, in September 2023, one of his family members was allowed a brief meeting with him at Vakilabad Prison. However, no formal charges or sentences have been announced, and Naqshbandi remains in a state of limbo. This ongoing situation has sparked increasing concerns, with human rights activists calling for his immediate release.
