CNN reports that, on Sept 30, Security forces opened fire on protests that erupted after weekly prayers in Zahedan, capital of the flashpoint province of Sistan-Baluchistan on Iran’s border with Pakistan.
According to Amnesty International, at least 66 people were unlawfully killed by the security guards on that day which was refer to as Bloody Friday. Among the deceased were children hit with live ammunition, metal pellets and tear gas.
Popular anger ahead of the Sept. 30 shooting was fueled by allegations of the rape of a local teenage girl by a police officer. Authorities have said the case is being investigated.
Online reports also said; Anti-government demonstrations started erupting that month after the death of a Kurdish woman, Mahsa Amini, who had been detained by morality police for allegedly flouting the Islamic Republic’s strict dress code imposed on women.
After few weeks, Friday, Nov 11, thousands of Iranians gathered in protest to mark Bloody Friday. Online reports claimed that the number of people killed overseas on Bloody Friday may be much higher “Forty days have passed since the #ZahedanMassacre, also know as Bloody Friday. At least 93 people, 13 of them children were mercilessly killed during protest by Islamic Republic security forces in Iran. where is @Unicef for Iranian Children?” Dr. Nina Ansary, a director at Cambridge University in England, tweeted last week.
According to Newsweek, following the Bloody Friday Massacre, another 15,000 jailed protesters may soon face death. The outlet reports that Iranian Lawmaker, Zoreh Elahian, voted in favor of imprisoned protester being sentenced to death. While in custody, 22-years-old Mahsa Amini was fatally beaten for “reportedly wearing an improper form of Hijab. Meanwhile, Iranian officials denied involvement in her death
Another tweep said; “Iranians Commemorate ‘Bloody Friday’ as Protests Continue”
40 days ago, 82 people were shot dead in the bloodiest single day of the protests, and protesters across Iran held rallies in remembrance of that day. 15,000 people may soon join those killed that day.”