Bloody Friday of Zahedan: Three Years Since a Crime That Cries for Justice
Introduction
On the eve of the third anniversary of the “Bloody Friday of Zahedan” (September 30, 2022), one of the deadliest days of the nationwide “Woman, Life, Freedom” uprising, this report examines the dimensions of this atrocity. The event unfolded during public protests sparked by the rape of a teenage girl by a police commander, becoming a symbol of the suppression of ethnic and religious minorities in Iran. The Baluchistan Human Rights Group has prepared this report to provide transparent information and support the pursuit of justice.
Background and Events
The protests in Zahedan were rooted in systemic discrimination against Baluch people, poverty, unemployment, and cultural suppression. Days before September 30, a prominent Baluch cleric confirmed the rape of a 15-year-old girl by a police commander, igniting public outrage amid the nationwide protests.
After the Friday prayers on September 30 at Zahedan’s Makki Mosque, worshippers gathered in front of Police Station 16, chanting slogans like “Death to the Oppressor” and “Woman, Life, Freedom.” Security forces, including special units and plainclothes officers, opened fire on the crowd without warning, using live ammunition. The shooting, carried out from inside the police station and by snipers positioned on rooftops, continued into the night in neighborhoods like Shirabad. Women and children were also targeted.
Casualty Statistics
At least 105 people were killed, including 17 children under 18 and two women. Over 300 were injured, with 15 left blind or paralyzed. Some of the wounded succumbed to their injuries months later. The Baluchistan Human Rights Group labels this event a “crime against humanity” and calls for an international investigation.
Judicial Process and Official Claims
Three years later, the judicial process remains opaque. On October 21, 2025, on the eve of the third anniversary, Iranian authorities visited Makki Mosque and announced 10-year prison sentences for some officers. However, families of the victims and the injured have rejected these rulings as lacking transparency.
In a similar case in Khash (November 4, 2022), a military prosecutor deemed the shooting “self-defense,” and the officers were acquitted. In Zahedan, two court sessions were held in February 2024 without the presence of witnesses, victims’ lawyers, or public recordings. On September 20, 2025, the Chief Justice of Sistan and Baluchistan claimed:
- Seven defendants (officers from Police Station 16) were sentenced to 10 years in prison.
- Some victims were declared “martyrs” and the injured “disabled veterans,” with compensation (1.6 billion IRR) paid.
- The collective nature of the shooting made identifying the main perpetrators difficult.
The accused were released on bail, and families were kept uninformed about the process.
Response from Families and Society
The victims’ families have rejected official claims and demand public trials for the main perpetrators and masterminds. They argue that financial promises and titles like “martyr” or “disabled veteran” cannot replace justice. On September 20, 2025, authorities visited Makki Mosque and issued an apology, but families dismissed financial offers, such as land and benefits, insisting on justice.
Analysis and Conclusion
Three years on, the main perpetrators remain unprosecuted, and judicial proceedings lack transparency. Financial promises have failed to bridge the trust gap, and families continue to demand public trials. The Baluchistan Human Rights Group emphasizes the need to refer the case to international bodies like the UN Security Council. The blood of 105 victims, including 17 children, cries out for freedom. Zahedan stands as a symbol of Baluch resistance, and justice is inevitable.
