According to human rights sources, Karim Bouazar, an Arab Ahwazi employee in the security (Harasat) department of the North Azadegan Oil and Gas Operating Company, attempted self-immolation on the morning of Sunday, February 15, 2026 (26 Bahman 1404), in front of the company’s facilities building in the city of Howeyzeh. The incident occurred after he was informed of his suspension from work.
Local sources report that he suffered severe burns to approximately 75 percent of his body and was transferred to Taleghani Burn Injury Hospital in Ahwaz, where he is currently hospitalized.
Karim Bouazar, around 40 years old, is originally from the village of Zohairiyeh, married, and the father of four children. He has worked in the company’s security department for more than 10 years. In recent months, he had been pursuing clarification of his employment status, a change in workplace, and the formalization of his contract.
Reports indicate that one day prior to the incident, he had a confrontation with company officials over the issue of contract formalization. On the day of the incident, he became aware of the decision to suspend him—an issue that, according to local sources, played a direct role in his act of self-immolation.
