Son of Detained Baloch Appeals to Public: “Be My Father’s Voice”
DOZZAAP (ZAHEDAN): A powerful video featuring the young son of detained Baloch activist Abdolsamad Regi has gone viral on social media, sparking renewed public outrage over the activist’s arrest and the broader issue of child abuse cases in Iranian Occupied Balochistan’s Pahrah city.
In the video, Mohammad Asif Regi, the child of the well-known Pahra-based civil society figure, announces he will boycott school until those responsible for the rape of children in Pahrah (Iranshahr) are brought to justice. Alongside the video, he pleads with the public:
“My father went to prison for you, the people… Please be my father’s voice.”
His father, Abdolsamad Regi, was arrested on Tuesday, October 7, by plainclothes agents affiliated with Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence. The arrest took place at Regi’s workplace — a branch of National Bank in Pahrah without prior legal notice.
Regi’s detention followed the publication of a written statement and audio recording in which he exposed multiple cases of sexual assaults against children in Iranshahr and condemned the inaction of local judicial and law enforcement bodies.
Rights groups and local sources believe the arrest is part of a broader crackdown on whistleblowers and activists seeking justice in marginalised communities, particularly in Balochistan.
“This is a blatant attempt to silence those who speak out against horrific abuses,” said a local human rights observer. “Instead of investigating the crimes, authorities are targeting the messenger.”
The revelations about child abuse have shocked the public, drawing sharp criticism over the government’s failure to protect vulnerable children and address the alleged crimes.
Activists say that rather than initiating criminal proceedings against the perpetrators, the state has chosen to suppress those demanding accountability.
Now, the voice of Regi’s young son has emerged as a symbol of Baloch resilience and injustice, resonating across social media platforms and reigniting calls for justice and transparency.
