The state security forces shot and killed a young athlete in Yasuj, central Iran.
On January 10, police chased Kamran Bazarkar and fatally shot him in Yasuj city in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province.
According to an informed source, Kamran Bazarkar was a 25-year-old athlete, bodybuilding and weightlifting champion.
“He was innocent. Police fataly sho him, in a chase,” the source said.
Videos published on social media show that the young man was alive after the shooting, but was severely injured and bleeding. He died the same day after being taken to hospital.
While confirming the death of Kamran Bazrkar, Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Police Commander said that “following a mass fight near 7th and 8th Golestan streets in Yasuj, security forces were dispatched to the scene and one of those involved in the fight was shot dead.”
This is not the first time that the state security forces unlawfully shot and killed civilians.
Iranian authorities often attempt to justify their deadly force used by security forces by claiming without evidence that the forces were confronting “thugs” or “dangerous suspects.”
There are almost daily reports of police and border guards opening fire on Kurd border porters in western Iran and civilians carrying fuel in southeastern Iran. Iranian security forces carry out these shootings with impunity.
Iranian law requires armed forces to reduce the chances of death when using force.
Article 2 of the Law on the Use of Weapons by the Armed Forces in an Emergency states that law enforcement agents must have “complete control of their weapon” while Article 7 stipulates that they should “preferably target the legs to make sure it does not cause death or hurt third parties.”
Article 2 also requires the authorities to “take care of injured persons and transfer them to medical centers as soon as possible.”
