On the evening of Friday, June 1, the people and youths of Abdanan took to the streets in protest against the heinous crime committed by the regime, resulting in the loss of Bamshad Soleymankhani’s life. Chanting slogans such as “Death to Khamenei,” “This year is the year of sacrifice, Seyyed Ali (Khamenei) will be overthrown,” “Rootless Khamenei, the uprising will not cease,” “Republic of child killers, we reject you, we reject you,” and “Death to the dictator,” they engaged in demonstrations and clashed with oppressive forces. Over 50 anti-riot vehicles were deployed in the main squares of the city to suppress the people, but the youth took control of the city’s main street, setting fires in front of the police headquarters and destroying and setting ablaze several special forces vehicles.
June 1 – Abdanan, western #Iran
Additional footage of Thursday night's protests and unrests.#IranProtestspic.twitter.com/58a0mUQ3yV— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) June 2, 2023
The repressive forces forcefully attacked the people with tear gas and pellet guns, while the youths stood their ground, using stones and sticks to confront them. Confrontations, pursuits, and escapes continued on various streets throughout the city. Dozens of people were injured by pellet gunshots and were transported to hospitals, with a significant number requiring hospitalization. A group of people and the relatives of the injured gathered outside the hospital to prevent the transfer of the wounded to prison.
On Friday morning, the shopkeepers and market traders of Abdanan went on strike to commemorate the martyrdom of Bamshad. A large-scale commemoration ceremony was held, attended by a vast number of Abdanan’s residents and individuals who had traveled from other cities. The event took place despite the siege by suppressive forces and plainclothes agents.
June 1 – Abdanan, western #Iran
Footage from Thursday night shows how authorities had dispatched a large number of forces to quell the locals' protests in various districts across the city.#IranProtestspic.twitter.com/F3yYNC0lbW— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) June 2, 2023
Bamshad Soleymankhani, a 21-year-old mechanical engineering student at Ilam University, was severely beaten by the repressive forces on May 24. When he returned home, he fell into a coma and was subsequently transferred to the hospital. Initial examinations revealed fractures in his shoulder and ribs, along with severe bruises and burns on his body caused by cigarette burns. Bamshad succumbed to his injuries and was martyred on Sunday, May 28, at Razi Hospital in Ilam. The Chief Justice of Ilam Province, following the pattern of other state-sponsored murders, claimed that Soleymankhani “committed suicide by consuming pills for personal reasons.”
The Iranian Resistance calls for an international fact-finding mission to investigate the murder of Bamshad Soleymankhani and other state-sponsored killings.
Secretariat of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI)
June 2, 2023
June 1 – Abdanan, western #Iran
Activists are saying regime security forces are using these types of ammunition against the local protesters who are merely chanting slogans against the mullahs' regime.#IranProtests pic.twitter.com/DY8QmhNHWT— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) June 1, 2023