Ahmad Baledi Dies Following Self-Immolation After Government Demolition of Family Kiosk

Ahmad Baledi, a 20-year-old student from Ahwaz, has died from severe burns sustained during a self-immolation protest last week, following the demolition of his family’s kiosk by municipal authorities.

Baledi poured gasoline on himself and set himself on fire in front of municipal officers who forcibly removed his family’s kiosk, a vital source of income. Eyewitnesses reported that officials acted with violence and indifference, and some officers made no attempt to stop him.

Local human rights organizations and residents have placed direct responsibility on the municipal authorities and government officials, citing the unlawful demolition and the aggressive handling of the incident.

The tragedy sparked widespread anger across Ahwaz, highlighting the deep economic hardship faced by many families in the city, where inflation and unemployment have forced residents into informal work such as street vending.

Ahwaz Prosecutor Amir Khalafian confirmed that both the district mayor and municipal enforcement chief were suspended and released on bail pending investigation, while arrest warrants were issued for three others involved. Observers note that these measures do little to address the underlying responsibility of the authorities whose actions led to Baledi’s death.

Baledi’s self-immolation draws parallels to the case of Tunisian street vendor Mohamed Bouazizi, whose death in 2011 sparked the Arab Spring, and underscores Iran’s growing social unrest amid economic mismanagement.