The Ahwaz Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office, on Friday, November 7, 2025, issued a statement in response to the self-immolation of Ahmad Baladi, an Ahwazi Arab citizen who set himself on fire in protest against the demolition of his father’s kiosk. The incident sparked a protest gathering outside Taleghani Hospital, where he was being treated.
In its statement, the prosecutor’s office warned that anyone attempting to “exploit this incident to incite ethnic division or disturb public order” would face judicial consequences.
The statement also threatened those seeking to pursue or publicize the matter, accusing so-called “enemies” of “trying to exploit emotional issues and tragic events to create unrest in society and sow discord among the ethnic groups of this province.”
Without addressing the cause of the self-immolation, the statement described the incident as “tragic and saddening” and asserted that “a thorough and comprehensive judicial investigation is underway and being pursued with seriousness.”
The prosecutor’s announcement came five days after Baladi’s self-immolation and one day after a protest gathering by citizens and relatives. The Islamic Republic’s authorities routinely blame unspecified “enemies”—often referring to the United States and Israel—in response to crises and protests.
Earlier, the Karun Human Rights Organisation reported that on the morning of Sunday, November 2, 2025, Ahwaz Municipality District 3 officials, accompanied by police forces, demolished the kiosk belonging to Mojahid Baladi in Zeytoon Park without prior notice or the owner’s presence.
At the time, Mojahid Baladi’s wife and their son, Ahmad Baladi (20 years old, a university student), were present at the site and staged a sit-in inside the kiosk to prevent its destruction. Despite this, the municipal officers proceeded with the demolition. Reports indicate that the Deputy Director of District 3 Municipal Services, behaving aggressively and unprofessionally, grabbed Mrs. Baladi’s hand and violently pushed her out of the kiosk.
In protest against this violent and unjust act, Ahmad Baladi poured gasoline on himself and set himself on fire in front of the officers. Witnesses reported that some officials at the scene did nothing to stop the incident and even mocked him as he burned.
According to reports, Ahmad Baladi suffered severe burns over approximately 70% of his body and is currently hospitalized in Taleghani Hospital in Ahwaz in critical condition.
