Insulting the Blood of the Martyrs

Iranian Regime’s Hypocritical Attempt to Buy Justice with Blood Money

Warna Baloch

The tragic incident of Bloody Friday in Zahedan on September 30, 2022, has become one of the most painful and unforgettable events in the modern history of the Baloch people. On that day, Iran’s armed forces, without any legitimate reason and with complete cruelty, opened fire on defenceless worshippers and civilians at the Makki Masjid (Mosque) in Zahedan [the capital city of Iranian-Occupied Balochistan]. This premeditated crime claimed the lives of over a hundred peaceful protesters and injured hundreds more.

From the very beginning, the criminal officials of the Islamic Republic regime, instead of taking responsibility for this human tragedy, attempted to conceal the truth through lies and deflection. They first claimed that the incident occurred due to the presence of separatist elements. When these claims were refuted by clear evidence and the people’s resistance, they resorted to another falsehood, attempting to present many of the martyrs as Afghan nationals, while in reality, all of these individuals were Baloch people and citizens of this land. This claim was not only a blatant lie but also a direct insult to the blood of the martyrs and the Baloch nation.

From the very first moments after this crime, the Baloch nation, with courage and full awareness, raised their voices in protest, declaring that their only demand was justice and the execution of those responsible for this massacre. The families of the martyrs, with exemplary steadfastness, repeatedly declared at the Makki Mosque in the presence of Sheikh-ul-Islam Molana Abdul Hamid that no amount of blood money or empty promises from the criminal officials could ever compensate for the loss of their loved ones. They emphasised that the only true justice was the execution of those who committed this horrific crime.

However, the Islamic Republic regime, instead of listening to the people’s voices and delivering justice, adopted a policy of threats and bribery. The criminal officials pressured the families of the deceased to accept blood money and sign documents abandoning their pursuit of justice. Despite these pressures, many families resisted and declared that the blood of their loved ones was not for sale.

Now, after two years, the regime, offering false excuses and empty promises, claims that the case of this crime has been closed. By announcing blood money payments to the families, they are attempting to erase this tragedy from memory and absolve themselves of responsibility. However, the Baloch nation knows that this action is not justice; it is a blatant insult to the pure blood of the martyrs and the intelligence of an entire nation.

This policy of the regime is an attempt to normalise oppression and crime within society. Past experiences, including incidents like the downing of the Ukrainian plane and the killing of protesters during nationwide uprisings, clearly show that this regime has no belief in justice. Every time the people have remained silent in the face of such crimes, greater tragedies have unfolded.

The Baloch nation must remain vigilant and united. The blood of the martyrs of Bloody Friday in Zahedan is a trust placed upon the shoulders of all the people of this land. Forgetting this crime or accepting blood money, paid to silence the voice of justice, is a betrayal of the martyrs and a disservice to the future of this nation’s children.

The criminal officials of the regime must understand that the Baloch nation will never relinquish its rightful demand for justice and the execution of those responsible for this massacre. Justice will only be achieved when these criminals are held accountable before the people and history, and when the blood of the innocent is not in vain. It is our historical responsibility to keep the martyrs’ voices alive and not allow the regime’s crimes to be forgotten in silence.

This article was first published by the Movement for Justice and Freedom in Persian. The Baloch Warna News translated it for its readers and the Baloch youth to refresh their memory of the Zahedan Massacre, also known as Bloody Friday.