In his Friday prayer sermons, Molavi Abdol Hamid, a spiritual leader for Iran’s Sunni Muslim population, urged government agencies to disclose the details surrounding the death of Sepehr Shirani in the custody of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in Zahedan.
Shirani, a 19-year-old student, was found dead days after being arrested by the intelligence forces of the IRGC, which informed his family of his death on Thursday.
The news outlet Hal-Vash, which focuses on reporting from Sistan and Baluchestan Province, quoted Molavi Abdol Hamid as saying, "The relevant authorities must ensure transparency and clarify to the public the circumstances surrounding Sepehr Shirani's death."
Shirani left his home around 4 p.m. on Tuesday, and his phone was later turned off, according to media reports. His family searched for him and confirmed his detention by the intelligence forces of the IRGC. They were told that he was to be questioned, Hal-Vash reported, about his online activities and released.
According to published information, Shirani had received warnings and cautions from security forces regarding his online activities, involvement in the administration of Maki Mosque, and support for Friday's protests in Zahedan.
Hal-Vash reported on Thursday that Shirani, who had been detained in Zahedan for "online activities," had "lost his life under torture." The Baloch Activists Campaign, a human rights monitor 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 is following the procedures to receive his body from the IRGC, it said.
Amnesty International has accused the Islamic Republic’s intelligence and security forces of torturing those arrested during and in the aftermath of nationwide protests in 2022-23.
