DOZZAAP (ZAHEDAN): Human rights organisations have confirmed the identities of five Baluch citizens, including a female protester who were killed by Iranian security forces during nationwide protests in multiple cities, including the southern port city of Bandar Abbas.

According to the Balochistan Human Rights Documentation Network (Baloch Activists Campaign), the most recent victim to be identified is Esmail Qalandarzehi (also known as Kashani), a 21-year-old Baloch man originally from Zahedan and a resident of Bandar Abbas.

Reports from the outlet Hal Vash state that Qalandarzehi was shot in the head by Iranian military forces on the evening of Saturday, 10 January, during protests in Bandar Abbas. His family was later informed of his death by the Persian Gulf Social Security Hospital, and he was buried on Monday at the Mohammad Rasulullah Cemetery in Zahedan.

With the confirmation of Qalandarzehi’s identity, the number of Baluch protesters whose deaths have been verified so far has risen to five.

The identified victims are: Jalil Dustyar Brahui, 22, son of Ebrahim from Zahedan, killed during protests in Meybod, Yazd Province. An unnamed Baluch girl from the Rudkhaneh District of Rudan County, belonging to the Darvishi tribe and the Rahnamoud family, was killed in Bandar Abbas. Ayoub Resaneh, 36 son of Kenagi from Ferouzabad in Rask County, was killed in Rask County. Mohsen Arbabbi, 20, son of Molavi Abdulhadi from Gosht in Saravan County, was killed during protests in Karaj. Esmail Qalandarzehi (Kashani), 21, son of Mohammad Yousaf from Zahedan and resident of Bandar Abbas, was killed in Bandar Abbas.

It should be noted that during the nationwide protests in Iran, thousands of citizens in various parts of the country were killed or injured and thousands more have been detained. Due to internet shutdowns and communication restrictions, accurate information regarding the number of those killed and injured is not yet available.