Family of 5-Year-Old Victim Protests Secret Release of Military Officers Accused of His Murder

DOZZAAP (ZAHEDAN): The family of 5-year-old Yusuf ShahliBor, who was killed by gunfire from Iranian military forces in the Chah Jamal region of Iranshahr, has expressed outrage over the secret release of the officers involved in the killing.

The incident, which occurred in February, initially sparked widespread public concern and led to promises from judicial authorities regarding the arrest and punishment of the responsible personnel.

Reza ShahliBor, Yusuf’s uncle, revealed the shocking news in a video shared on social media on Sunday, April 21, 2025. He claimed that the military officers accused of Yusuf’s murder had been secretly released approximately three weeks earlier, without the family’s knowledge or consent, and without any public announcement.

In his video, ShahliBor questioned the authorities’ actions, saying: “Why did you release the murderous officers? The same ones who took the life of a five-year-old child and the fetus in his mother’s womb. You said they would be punished, but now you’ve secretly freed them without informing anyone.”

Yusuf was fatally shot on the evening of February 25, 2025, when military personnel from the Special Forces opened fire on the family’s car in Chah Jamal, a region in Iranian-occupied Balochistan. Yusuf’s mother, Maryam ShahliBor, who was pregnant at the time, also suffered severe injuries in the attack and lost her unborn child.

Initially, authorities attempted to cover up the involvement of military personnel, suggesting that the shooting had been carried out by unidentified armed individuals. However, following growing public pressure and independent investigations, it was confirmed that official military forces were responsible for the deadly attack.

Despite public outcry and an earlier statement from the General Prosecutor of Balochistan, who had claimed that nine military officers were arrested in connection with the incident, the ShahliBor family was stunned to learn that the same officers had been released under unclear circumstances. The family was not informed about the release or the status of the case.

Human rights groups have condemned the authorities’ handling of the situation, accusing them of covering up the actions of the military and failing to hold the officers accountable for their deadly actions. Activists view this as part of a broader problem of impunity within the Iranian judicial system.

Furthermore, the driver of the car, Ramin ShahliBor, has reportedly been pressured by authorities to exonerate the military officers involved. The family also faced threats in the immediate aftermath of the shooting.

The release of the accused military personnel has further exposed the bias of the Iranian judicial system against the Baloch people, with many questioning whether justice will ever be served for Yusuf and his grieving family.