Yaser Shahbakhsh

Yaser Shahbakhsh (May 22, 1986 – September 30, 2022)

Yaser Shahbakhsh was a بلوچ citizen from Zahedan who was killed during the nationwide Iranian uprising of 2022 in the event later known as the “Bloody Friday of Zahedan.” Among many بلوچ people, he became known by the titles “Defender of Makki,” “بلوچ Hero,” and “بلوچ Sniper” because of his actions during the attacks on worshippers near Makki Mosque.

Early Life

Yaser Shahbakhsh was born on 22 May 1986 in Zahedan to a Sunni بلوچ family. He was the son of Taj Mohammad, married, and the father of one son. Unlike many families in the region who struggled economically, his family was considered financially stable, and he grew up without major material hardship.
From a young age, Yaser showed exceptional skill in shooting and marksmanship. Friends and relatives described him as highly talented with firearms, and after his death, videos of his shooting practice circulated widely on social media. Many people later commented that, in another country with professional opportunities, he could have become a nationally recognized athlete in shooting sports.

Background of the Zahedan Bloody Friday

In September 2022, public anger in Sistan and Baluchestan intensified after reports emerged that a police commander had allegedly sexually assaulted a 15-year-old بلوچ girl in Chabahar. The accusation, confirmed publicly by a local Sunni cleric, triggered widespread outrage throughout بلوچستان.
At the same time, nationwide protests following the death of Mahsa Amini were spreading across Iran. On Friday, 30 September 2022, after prayers at Makki Mosque in Zahedan, worshippers and protesters began chanting against the government. Security forces, Revolutionary Guard units, and armed plainclothes agents opened fire on the crowd with live ammunition.
The massacre became known as the “Bloody Friday of Zahedan.” More than 100 people were reportedly killed and hundreds more wounded.

Defending Protesters and Makki Mosque

As violence escalated and Makki Mosque became surrounded by security forces, Yaser Shahbakhsh reportedly took up his weapon and went into the streets to defend civilians trapped in the area.
Witnesses said he initially attempted to reach the rooftop of Makki Mosque to gain a defensive position, but mosque security personnel prevented him from entering. He then moved with a group of protesters toward خیام Street, where he took cover and began firing at armed security forces.
Several witnesses later claimed that during the clashes he repeatedly told people not to allow his body to fall into the hands of government forces if he were killed.
According to local sources and بلوچ activists, Yaser was involved in armed confrontations that resulted in the death of several security officials, including Hamidreza Hashemi, the intelligence commander of the Revolutionary Guard in Sistan and Baluchestan. Hashemi, also known as “Seyed Ali Mousavi,” was widely identified by protesters as one of the officials responsible for directing the crackdown and shootings during Bloody Friday.

Death

On the evening of 30 September 2022, Yaser Shahbakhsh was shot and killed by plainclothes intelligence forces during the clashes around Makki Mosque.
Following his death, members of the mosque’s security team reportedly carried his body into Makki Mosque in accordance with his own request that government forces should not seize his body after his death. He was buried in Zahedan the following day.
His death quickly became a powerful symbol among the بلوچ population. Supporters viewed him as someone who stood in defense of civilians during one of the deadliest crackdowns of the 2022 uprising.

Government Narrative and Contradictions

State-affiliated Iranian media later accused Yaser Shahbakhsh of belonging to the militant group Jaish al-Adl and claimed he had participated in armed attacks against security forces and civilians.
However, many بلوچ activists, eyewitnesses, and even Jaish al-Adl itself rejected these accusations. In official statements, the group denied involvement in the events of Zahedan and called the government’s narrative false.
Molavi Abdolhamid, the Sunni Friday prayer leader of Zahedan and one of the most influential religious figures in بلوچستان, also publicly rejected the government’s claims that separatist groups were responsible for the violence. He instead blamed Iranian security forces for the killings.

Legacy

After his death, many بلوچ people began referring to Yaser Shahbakhsh as the “Defender of Makki.” His name appeared in protests, murals, slogans, and memorial gatherings throughout بلوچستان.
For many supporters, Yaser became more than just another victim of the protests. He came to symbolize resistance, courage, and the defense of civilians against state violence during one of the darkest moments of the 2022 Iranian uprising.