The Chief Justice of Khuzestan Province called protesters against water shortages "anti-regime"

The Chief Justice of Khuzestan Province, Sadegh Moradi, called protesters protesting the water shortage in Khuzestan Province "opponents of the system" and said that those who disrupted security, deprived people of peace and comfort, and also damaged people's property would be dealt with, and that "opponents of the system and foreign enemies" who were involved in creating the recent insecurity and unrest would be dealt with.

According to ISNA news agency on Sunday, August 1, he made these remarks after visiting Sepidar Prison in Ahvaz and meeting with a group of those detained during the protests.

According to the report, he also said that some detainees had been released and that orders had been issued for the release of others. He did not disclose the number of detainees.

The Chief Justice of Khuzestan Province has said that judicial orders have been issued to release and quickly investigate the charges against some of the detainees, and some will be released with "discounts and bail."

According to Sadegh Moradi, the cases of people facing security charges will be processed "out of turn and as quickly as possible."

This statement by this government official comes after former political prisoner Arash Sadeghi told VOA on Saturday, August 31, that at least 122 citizens had been arrested in Khuzestan province. He said that these arrests were made house-to-house by security and military forces, and that the detainees were transferred to unknown locations and their condition is unknown.

The protests in Khuzestan, which initially began with protests over water shortages, intensified after just a few days, following clashes between security forces and protesters. The protests spread from Khuzestan to other provinces, with protesters chanting slogans against the government and the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Khamenei.

At least eight protesters were killed during the recent protests, according to international human rights organizations. Iranian authorities also disrupted the internet.

Source: Voice of America