According to received reports, on the afternoon of Monday, September 15, 2025, security forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran opened fire on demonstrators protesting against the operation of the Qalqaleh gold mine near Pir Emran village in Saqqez. As a result of this shooting, Mohammad Amin Rashidi, 22 years old, lost his life, and three of his relatives — Ramyar, Mohammad, and Hemen Rashidi — were severely injured.
Victims’ Condition and Security Control Over the Hospital
Local sources state that the body of Mohammad Amin Rashidi was transferred to Salahaddin Ayoubi Hospital in Baneh but has not yet been handed over to his family. The injured individuals remain in the intensive care unit of the same hospital, and their condition is reported to be critical.
An informed source confirmed that the hospital is under full control of security forces, with strict restrictions on entry and exit. In addition, telephone communications in the villages surrounding Saqqez have been deliberately disrupted in recent days to prevent the spread of information and wider protests.
Arrest of Citizens
Following the clashes, at least four other citizens were arrested by security forces and taken to an unknown location. Their identities have been confirmed as: Jwameer, son of Latif; Latif, son of Haj Sediq; Fateh, son of Mohammad; and Maliheh, daughter of Haj Rahmeh. No authority has accepted responsibility for their detention, and their fate remains uncertain.
Background of the Protests; Qalqaleh Mine and Environmental Threats
The Qalqaleh gold mine in Saqqez has in recent years become one of the main points of contention between local residents and state institutions. The project has caused widespread environmental destruction, the loss of agricultural land, and serious threats to local water resources, deeply impacting the livelihoods of thousands of rural families.
Farmers and villagers have repeatedly organized demonstrations and submitted petitions demanding the mine’s closure, but their calls have been ignored by the authorities. Environmental experts have also warned that unregulated gold extraction in this area is polluting the soil and groundwater.
