Accountability for the Killing of Mohammad Rashidi and the Defense of Saqqez’s Environment
September 29, 2025
The heartbreaking killing of Mr. Mohammad (Mohammad-Amin) Rashidi, a 22-year-old young man from the village of Pir-Omran, has shaken the conscience of society and reopened deep, unhealed wounds. The blood of this young man was shed in defense of the environment and the rights of the people, symbolizing once again the sacrifice of citizens who place life and nature above private gain and economic interest.
On September 14, 2025 (24 Shahrivar 1404), residents of Pir-Omran gathered in protest outside the Qolqoleh gold mine, voicing opposition to severe environmental pollution, the destruction of agricultural lands, and the violation of local landowners’ rights. This was not the first such protest: numerous petitions and written complaints with more than 16,000 signatures had previously been submitted to the authorities, including the Governor’s Office and the Judiciary. Despite this, the people’s demands were ignored.
During the protest, according to official sources, two individuals affiliated with the mine’s security forces opened fire on the demonstrators, killing Mohammad Rashidi and wounding several others. Human rights organizations report that the shooting was carried out by armed government forces, who fired directly and indiscriminately at the crowd. Both accounts agree on one crucial point: security forces directly targeted unarmed protesters, resulting in death and injury among the region’s youth. To date, authorities have failed to provide full transparency about the incident or to identify and prosecute those truly responsible.
Mohammad Rashidi succumbed to his injuries after being transferred to Salahaddin Ayoubi Hospital in Baneh. Three other villagers, including members of his family, were seriously wounded and remain hospitalized. Legal and criminal responsibility for this tragedy lies not only with the shooters and their commanders but also with local officials and decision-makers who, fully aware of the mine’s dangers, failed to halt its operations and instead, through explicit or tacit support, created the conditions that led to this crime.
Furthermore, the Qolqoleh mine’s operations—relying on toxic substances such as cyanide, hydrazine, and mercury—have caused widespread contamination of groundwater, altered natural waterways, destroyed local ecosystems, damaged pastures and forests, and directly threatened the Jaghato (Zarrineh-Rud) River, a vital source of life for the region. These destructive effects, beyond their environmental impact, have inflicted grave social, economic, and moral harm upon the people of Kurdistan.
In light of the above, we, the undersigned residents and civil and environmental organizations, demand:
- An immediate, transparent, and public judicial investigation into the killing of Mohammad Rashidi and the injury of other citizens; the identification and prosecution of both the direct perpetrators and those who ordered the shooting; and appropriate criminal punishment in accordance with the gravity of the crime.
- An independent and impartial inquiry into the role of local authorities and mining company officials in this incident, including any potential conflicts of interest.
- The immediate suspension of operations at the Qolqoleh mine and other similar projects in Kurdistan until comprehensive environmental studies are conducted and adequate safeguards for public health and ecological safety are guaranteed.
- Compensation for the material and moral damages inflicted upon the family of Mohammad Rashidi, the injured protesters, and the affected villages.
- Full public accountability by the responsible authorities, including the assumption of political and administrative responsibility for this crime.
This petition is a cry for justice from a wounded people and their defenders of the environment. We affirm that society will not forget this crime, nor will we abandon the pursuit of truth and justice.
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Province Number of signatures Alborz 2 Ardabil 0 Bushehr 0 Chahar Mahaal and Bakhtiari 1 East Azerbaijan 4 Fars 2 Gilan 0 Golestan 1 Hamadan 0 Hormozgan 0 Ilam 0 Isfahan 1 Kerman 0 Kermanshah 1 Khuzestan 0 Kohgiluyehv And Boyer Ahmad 0 Kurdistan 0 Lorestan 0 Markazi 0 Mazandaran 0 North Khorasan 0 Qazvin 0 Qom 0 Razavi Khorasan 0 Semnan 1 Sistan and Baluchestan 0 South Khorasan 0 Tehran 11 West Azerbaijan 1 Yazd 0 Zanjan 0 This petition has received 135 signatures so far. Approximately 84% of signatures come from Iran. Approximately 16% of signatures come from outside of Iran. Learn how Daadkhast generates signature maps. -
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امضا میکنم چون جان شهروندان مهمتر از سود معدنداران طلاست.
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A group of residents and environmental activists in Kurdistan started this petition
