Reports received by the Karun Human Rights Organisation indicate that on the morning of Sunday, November 2, 2025, forces from the District 3 Municipality of Ahwaz, accompanied by police officers, went to the location of Mojahid Baladi’s kiosk in Zeytoun Park and demolished it without prior notice or the owner’s presence.
At the time of the incident, Mojahid Baladi’s wife and their 20-year-old, Ahmad Baladi (a university student), were present at the site. In an attempt to prevent the demolition, they staged a sit-in inside the kiosk, but the municipal agents continued with the destruction. According to reports, the Deputy Head of Municipal Services of District 3, behaving aggressively and in a manner unbecoming of a public official, grabbed Mrs. Baladi’s hand and violently threw her out of the kiosk.
In response to this brutal and unjust behavior, and in protest against the injustice inflicted on his family, Ahmad Baladi set himself on fire using gasoline in front of the officers. Shockingly, some of the officials present made no effort to stop the tragedy, instead watching the scene with indifference and even mockery.
According to received information, Ahmad Baladi is now hospitalised at Taleghani Hospital in Ahwaz with severe burns covering about 70% of his body, and his condition is reported to be critical.
It is noteworthy that around 25 years ago, Mojahid Baladi, Ahmad’s father, obtained an official permit from the municipality to establish a restaurant and kiosk in Zeytoun Park. His kiosk is among the few Arab-owned stands among more than 400 kiosks across Ahwaz.
In recent years, Mojahid Baladi has repeatedly faced discriminatory pressures and harassment from certain municipal officials, and several attempts have been made to demolish his kiosk and revoke his legal rights.
Earlier, on Monday, November 3, 2025 (12 Aban), Kamal Baladi, another Ahwazi Arab citizen, committed suicide following psychological distress and financial hardship.
According to a close acquaintance, Kamal Baladi, who had previously worked for the Ahvaz Steel Industries Company, was dismissed by the company’s contractor about a year ago and had since struggled with poverty and unemployment. Facing ongoing psychological and financial pressure, he eventually traveled to Iraq for work, but ultimately ended his life due to unbearable hardship.
The Karun Human Rights Organisation expresses its deep regret and sorrow over this tragic incident and calls for a serious and lawful investigation into those responsible for and complicit in this inhumane act. The organisation stresses that the violated rights of the Baladi family must be restored and duly addressed.
