Iran protests—June 16, 2023: Brave Baluchis in Zahedan, the provincial capital of Sistan and Baluchestan in southeast Iran, once again took to the streets on Friday, June 16, in new anti-regime protests and rejection of dictatorship. Despite extensive security measures and internet restrictions imposed by the regime, these protests continued.
Early reports on Friday indicated that the regime had deployed large forces to Sistan and Baluchestan in order to prevent protests from occurring after the weekly Friday prayers. Other reports mentioned the deployment of repressive forces near the Great Makki Mosque in Zahedan, a location where people gather for prayers and subsequent protest rallies. Activists also reported significant disruptions to internet access in Zahedan at approximately 10:00 am local time.
Footage from Zahedan revealed that helicopters were flown over the city during Friday prayers, likely in anticipation of protests. Despite these measures, the people of Zahedan still held their weekly protest rallies after the prayers. Protesters chanted slogans against the regime and carried placards condemning its brutal response to protests.
Protesters chanted slogans including:
“I will kill those who killed my brother!”
“My martyred brother, I will avenge your blood!”
“We will fight! We will die! We will take back Iran!”
“Kurds, Baluch, Azeris, freedom, and equality!”
“Political prisoners must be freed!”
“Iranians! Unity, revolution, freedom!”
One placard read, “Evin [Prison] has become university, the universities have become prisons,” highlighting the repression faced by students throughout the country. Another placard condemned the regime’s discrimination against the Baluch people, stating, “The Baluch people deserve respect, not repression and execution.”
Friday also marked the birthday of Majidreza Rahnavard, a young protester who was executed by the regime in December for participating in nationwide protests. Rahnavard was subjected to severe torture and forced to make incriminating confessions before being hanged. People in various cities commemorated Majidreza, with protesters in Tehran displaying a banner that read, “We will remove all nooses and gallows from Iran.”
In Mashhad, Majidreza’s hometown, the regime implemented stringent security measures to prevent protests on his birthday. Security forces were deployed to block roads leading to Behesht-e Reza, the cemetery where Majidreza is buried, in order to prevent any form of assembly or protest.
On Thursday, June 15, in a resolute joint statement of solidarity and support, the majority of Italy’s parliament, consisting of 204 parliamentary representatives, rallied behind the aspirations of the Iranian people, advocating for the establishment of a democratic republic grounded in the separation of religion and state.
