In his Friday prayer sermon, Molavi Abdol Hamid, a spiritual leader for Iran's Sunni Muslims, urged government agencies to reveal details surrounding the death of Sepehr Shirani in the custody of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in Zahedan.
Shirani, a 19-year-old student, was found dead days after being captured by IRGC intelligence forces, who informed his family of his death on Thursday (1/2).
News outlet Hal-Vash, which focuses on reporting from Sistan and Baluchestan Province, quoted Molavi Abdol Hamid as saying, “Relevant authorities must ensure transparency and clarify to the public the circumstances surrounding Sepehr Shirani's death.”
Shirani left her house at around 4pm on Tuesday (30/1), and her phone was then switched off, according to media reports. His family searched for him and confirmed his detention by IRGC intelligence forces. Hal-Vash reported they were told he would be questioned about his online activities and released.
According to published information, Shirani had received warnings from security forces regarding his online activities, involvement in the administration of the Maki Mosque, and support for Friday's (2/2) protests in Zahedan.
Hal-Vash reported on Thursday that Shirani, who was detained in Zahedan for “online activities, lost her life due to torture.” The Baloch Activists Campaign, a human rights monitoring agency in Sistan and Baluchestan Province, citing its sources, reported the same cause of death.
The IRGC informed his family of his death on Thursday, according to Iran Focus. His family followed procedures to receive his body from the IRGC, he said.
Amnesty International accused the Islamic Republic's intelligence and security forces of torturing those arrested during and after nationwide protests in 2022-2023. (ft)