Friday Prayer Leader of Kazerun Killed by Knife Attack

A police official in Fars Province announced early Wednesday, June 29, that Hojjatoleslam Mohammad Khorsand, the Friday prayer leader of Kazerun, was killed in a knife attack.

According to Farsnews agency, Colonel Kavous Mohammadi, the social deputy of the commander of law enforcement forces in Fars Province, said: “Hojjatoleslam Mohammad Khorsand was attacked with knife blows by an individual at the door of his residence an hour ago and was transferred to the hospital, but unfortunately due to the depth of injuries in the abdominal area, he passed away at Kazerun Hospital.”

This Fars Province police official clarified that Mohammad Khorsand was attacked upon his return from a commemoration ceremony at 3:30 a.m. on Wednesday.

Colonel Kavous Mohammadi stated: “The attacker has been identified and officers are attempting to apprehend him.”

Daryoush Dehqan, the governor of Kazerun, also confirmed the news of the death of the city’s Friday prayer leader, saying: “The attacker has been identified and efforts to apprehend him are continuing.”

These government and security officials made no reference to the attacker’s identity or his possible motives for attacking the Friday prayer leader of Kazerun.

Public protests against the country’s provincial divisions in the city of Kazerun on the 26th and 27th of Ordibehesht of the previous year led to clashes with police forces and several days of unrest in the city.

In these clashes, several people were killed and a number were wounded, and damage was caused to public property, including government buildings and banks.

Hojjatoleslam Mohammad Khorsand was opposed to the provincial divisions plan in Kazerun and had disagreements with the city’s representative.

Kazerun County is located in Fars Province, 120 kilometers west of Shiraz.

Source: Radio Farda