September 2026 Newsletter
September 2026 Newsletter
Balochistan Human Rights Group (BHRG)
Execution of 11 Baloch Citizens
In September 2026, at least 11 Baloch citizens were executed in prisons across Iran. According to reports published by the Balochistan Human Rights Group, their names and the locations and dates of their executions are as follows:
- Sina Alipour — Zahedan Central Prison — 1 September
- Asghar Pishahang — Zahedan Central Prison — 13 September
- Yousof Abil — Jiroft Prison — 13 September
- Mohammad Mousazahi — Iranshahr Prison — 13 September
- Hashem Rakhshani — Zabol Prison — 13 September
- Amanollah Nazar Khani — Zabol Prison — 13 September
- Mohammad Yousof Issa-Zehi (Rigi) — Isfahan Central Prison — 9 September
- Abdolghani Salarzehi — Isfahan Central Prison — 28 September
A significant proportion of these executions were carried out in cases related to drugs. In some cases, prisoners had denied the charges brought against them and raised objections to the judicial proceedings before their executions.
Baloch Citizens Killed in Shootings by Iranian Military and Security Forces
During September, at least four Baloch citizens were killed as a result of shootings or operations by Iranian military and security forces.
Isa Hot-Jalali (Sabeghi), approximately 23 years old, was killed on 19 September in Pang village, Jazmourian County, following a shooting by IRGC and Intelligence forces.
Yasin Narouei, approximately 24 years old, was killed during a confrontation between military and security forces and people inside a house in Hasarouieh, Zahedan. Another citizen who was a guest at the house was also killed during the incident.
Obaid Zardkohi, approximately 28 years old, was shot and killed during a raid by security forces on his home in Sarkehuran village, Iranshahr, following a confrontation that lasted approximately 20 minutes.
Mehdi Sanchouli, 50, a fuel carrier, was also killed after being shot by military forces near a checkpoint on the Qayen road in South Khorasan.
In another deeply concerning incident, Mohammad Amin Dehqan, a four-year-old Baloch child, was shot in the head and killed on 24 September in the Jihadabad area of Saravan after military and security forces opened fire on a Saipa pickup truck carrying drinking water. His father, Eshaq Dehqan, was also seriously injured in the shooting.
Four Years Since Zahedan Bloody Friday
In September, coinciding with the fourth anniversary of Zahedan Bloody Friday, the Balochistan Human Rights Group published a report on the continued pursuit of justice by the families of the victims.
On 30 September 2022, Iranian military and security forces opened fire on citizens and worshippers around the Makki Grand Mosque in Zahedan. According to BHRG documentation, more than 100 Baloch citizens were killed and more than 300 were injured.
Four years after the incident, the families of the victims continue to demand truth, the identification of those responsible and those who ordered the violence, independent investigations, and justice.
Sentencing of Four Baloch Citizens in Connection with the 2022 Protests
Four Baloch citizens — Hamidreza Kohkan, Mohammad Khorut Dinmohammadi, Ahmadali Kohkan and Khaled Kashani — who were arrested during the nationwide protests in 2022, were sentenced by Branch 103 of the Criminal Court Two in Zahedan to a combined 17 years and one day in prison.
Hamidreza Kohkan, Ahmadali Kohkan and Mohammad Khorut Dinmohammadi were each sentenced to five years in prison, while Khaled Kashani was sentenced to two years and one day, suspended for three years.
Mohammad Khorut Dinmohammadi was only 16 years old when he was arrested. Ahmadali Kohkan had previously been seriously injured after being struck by a live bullet during Zahedan Bloody Friday.
Nasimeh Eslamzahi: 25-Year Prison Sentence
Nasimeh Eslamzahi, a Baloch Sunni woman and prisoner held in Evin Prison, was sentenced to 25 years in prison by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Abolghasem Salavati.
She denied the charge of “aiding in the crime of baghy” and, according to the information published, stated that she was not a member of any group and had not cooperated with any group.
Eslamzahi was arrested in September 2023 and gave birth to her second child while in detention at Evin Prison.
Demolition of Homes and Pressure on Baloch Families
Several cases involving the demolition of Baloch citizens’ homes in Chabahar and Iranshahr were reported during September.
In Komb village, Chabahar, the Housing Foundation, accompanied by military forces, demolished several homes belonging to families who, according to residents, had lived in the area for approximately 20 to 25 years. Residents reported threats, the use of electric tasers, and violent treatment of men and women present at the scene.
In Nokabad village, Chabahar, part of a Baloch family’s home was also demolished in the early hours of the morning by the Housing Foundation and the Land Affairs authorities. The homeowner and his son were reportedly beaten.
In Iranshahr, a residential property on Ferdowsi Street was demolished by the municipality without prior notice, and some of the family’s belongings were destroyed under the rubble.
Nasser Boladai: Shared Human Rights Principles and Joint Action
On 27 September, Nasser Boladai, Secretary-General of the Balochistan People’s Party, spoke at the conference “The Human Rights Crisis in Iran: From Common Principles to Joint Action” in Oslo, Norway, where he stressed the need for political groups to cooperate on the basis of shared human rights principles.
Boladai said that agreement on shared human rights principles should lead to concrete and practical action, and that cooperation among political groups should not be limited to meetings, dialogue and media statements.
Referring to the “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement and protests in Balochistan, he also stressed the importance of individual and collective rights, equality and addressing discrimination, and called on political groups to focus on the immediate demands of the public.
Boladai also stated that the Balochistan People’s Party is prepared to cooperate with other groups on human rights, economic issues, the environment and repression in Iran.
Nasser Boladai and Transnational Repression
As part of his human rights activities, Boladai also spoke at a side event of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva on transnational repression by the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Drawing on his own experience, he spoke about surveillance, intimidation, threats, creating distrust, pressure on families, and threats against opponents and activists outside Iran. He stressed that transnational repression is not limited to physical threats and can also be pursued by creating fear and distrust within migrant communities.
Masoud Raeisi: Repression and Discrimination Have Contributed to Resistance in Balochistan
Masoud Raeisi, Executive Director of the Balochistan Human Rights Group, spoke in an interview with Voice of America about the human rights situation of the Baloch people and the factors behind the emergence of resistance in Balochistan.
Raeisi identified arrests, imprisonment, executions, discrimination and the repression of protesters as among the factors that, according to him, have contributed to the emergence of resistance in Balochistan. He also discussed the connection of some individuals with armed groups and the impact of experiences of repression and human rights violations on Baloch families.
Economic Pressure and Rising Inflation
Another report published in September focused on the economic situation of people in Balochistan. According to figures presented by the Statistical Center of Iran, annual inflation had reached 73.6 percent, while point-to-point inflation stood at 89.8 percent. Annual inflation for food, beverages and tobacco was reported at 108.8 percent.
Rising prices of food and essential goods, combined with poverty, unemployment, limited employment opportunities and weak economic infrastructure in Balochistan, have placed additional pressure on low-income households.
Morad Mohammad Qanbarzehi: Eight Years in an Omani Prison After Completing His Sentence
Morad Mohammad Qanbarzehi, a Baloch citizen from Nokabad, Iranshahr, remains imprisoned in Oman despite having completed his three-year sentence.
He has been imprisoned for approximately eight years. Due to the lack of identity documents and the absence of a mechanism to verify his identity and secure his acceptance by Iran, he has been unable to return to the country after completing his sentence.
His family has repeatedly followed up with various authorities in Iran over the years to obtain his birth certificate and identity documents, but these efforts have so far produced no result.