Government Attempts to Appease Zahedan Victims’ Families: Take Blood Money and Stay Silent

The government attempted to appease the families of victims of the bloody Friday in Zahedan, telling them to accept blood money and remain silent.

Friday, corresponding to the 7th of Mehr 1402 (September 29, 2023), marks the anniversary of the bloody Friday in Zahedan. The people of Sistan and Baluchestan have organized a major call for this day to seek justice for their lost loved ones and take to the streets to overthrow the regime. Following the release of this call since last week, the Islamic Republic system transferred numerous military equipment to Zahedan over one week to confront people’s protests.

Furthermore, the presence of Commander Radan and his meeting with the families of the deceased indicates the regime’s fear of people’s unity. According to reports published, the government is attempting to silence the families of the deceased from the bloody Friday by pressuring them to accept blood money compensation.

Mohammad Shahozahi, commander of the Basij base in Karimabad, Zahedan, on the orders of Ahmad Reza Radan, the country’s law enforcement commander, met with some of the victims’ families and asked them to withdraw their complaints and legal pursuits. In these meetings, he emphasized that families must accept blood money because their complaints seeking punishment for those who ordered and carried out the suppressions and killings of innocent Baluch people will be futile.

Tribal leaders responded to his request by stating: “The people will not listen to us on this matter, and to resolve this issue, one must speak with Maulana Abdulhamid, as this incident occurred at the Makki prayer ground.”

The government’s attempt to appease the families has provoked anger and reaction from many people, raising the question: Will Maulana Abdulhamid succumb to the vile ideas of the Islamic Republic and convince the families to accept blood money, or will he stand against the regime? For if such a thing happens, the justice-seeking people will become disheartened from continuing their uprising to overthrow the regime, and their unity will be broken.

Will the people allow the Islamic Republic to achieve its goals and continue its crimes, or will they continue to stand united for Iran’s victory?