Basij Forces Shooting in Shush Kills Two Young Men

On Friday, the 6th of Farvardin, two young men from the city of Shush in Khuzestan Province were wounded by direct fire from the “Shahid Danesh Shush Basij Resistance Zone” forces and died after being transferred to the hospital.

According to Hrana news agency, the media organ of the Iranian human rights activists network, on the morning of Friday, the 6th of Farvardin 1400, two citizens from Shush city were targeted by gunfire from the “Shahid Danesh Shush Basij Resistance Zone” forces in violation of weapon use laws, and died after being transferred to the hospital.

The identities of the two deceased young men “Ibrahim Atashani, approximately 20 years old, son of Saleh, and Mostafa Harghani, approximately 24 years old, son of Karim, from the Davar area of Shush city” have been confirmed by Hrana.

An informed source regarding this incident told Hrana: “These citizens, who were on a motorcycle passing through a street on Friday where the city’s courthouse, seminary, and Danesh Basij base are located, were suddenly struck by bullets fired by Basij forces. Ibrahim Atashani was wounded in the legs and abdomen, and Mostafa Harghani was wounded in the shoulder. Mr. Atashani, after amputation, died on the afternoon of Saturday, the 7th of Farvardin.”

Mr. Harghani reportedly showed vital signs until his transfer to the hospital and died Saturday night. The source continued: “Security forces have rumored that these citizens were wounded and arrested while attacking the seminary and courthouse. A claim that has been denied by their relatives.”

Ibrahim Atashani was previously arrested by security forces during the November 2019 protests and was later temporarily released on bail pending the completion of legal proceedings.

Shooting of citizens by military and security forces in various cities across the country is unprecedented. In some cases, this has resulted in permanent harm or death of citizens.

Article 7 of the law on weapon use by members of the armed forces in necessary cases states: “Members referred to in this law, when using weapons, should aim at the legs as much as possible and ensure that their actions do not result in death and do not harm third parties not involved in the incident.” The note to this article also states: “Care and protection of the wounded is the responsibility of law enforcement officials and they must transport them to medical centers at the first opportunity.”

Source: Hrana