May 10 (The Killid Group) — At least 54 migrants last week illegally crossed into Iran, where they were first tortured and then forced into a river by Iranian border guards, of which some were pronounced dead and others were either drowned or missing, according to Afghan officials.
The Afghan government appointed a team from different governmental agencies to “thoroughly” probe into reports that Iranian border guards forced a group of Afghan migrants into a river.
Abdul Satar Hussaini, a member of Afghan Parliament (Wolesi Jirga), who is also a member of the delegation for the investigations into the incident confirmed to The Killid Group that based on the evidence they have gathered, at least 54 Afghan migrants who illegally entered to Iran were tragically beaten and thrown into the Harirud river.
Out of the total 54 migrants, at least 16 were rescued, 18 have lost their lives and 20 others were either drowned or missing, Mr. Hussaini added.
Abdul Satar Hussaini considers the killing of these Afghan citizens by Iranian border guards a premeditated and willful murder.
As he maintains, the government of Iran must apologize for this heinous act and offer compensation for the families of victims.
Herat’s governor, Sayed Wahid Qetali, meanwhile, says there are sufficient evidence to prove the matter and that a denial is not acceptable.
He didn’t provide further details about the evidence the officials have gathered but acknowledges that the area has been kept clear of anti-government elements.
The government of Iran, however, rejected the claims, saying the incident took place on Afghan soil.
But Abdul Hamid Tahmasi, head of the assigned team to probe to incident says the team is waiting for an Iranian delegation to begin bilateral negotiations to find an acceptable agreement and announce the results.
According to him, the Afghan delegation for the investigations has one-week time to accomplish their mission.
Elsewhere, the old Jan Mohammad who has lost his 14-years old son and a young nephew of him in the incident calls on the Afghan government to thoroughly and comprehensively probe the matter and ensure those responsible will be brought to justice.
In the meantime, a number of Afghan women activists called in an open letter on Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and the Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to apologize for the torture and drowning of Afghan migrants by their guards near the two countries’ border.
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