Court in Iran is attacked by armed men, says local media

Armed men of the Sunni extremist group Jaish al-ADL Baluch attacked a court in the province of Sistan-Salaruchistan, in southeastern Iran, Iranian media said. The Semi-field Fars storage agency said there may have been a bomb man involved in the attack. The agency stated that explosions and gunfire were heard around the court building, adding that Jaish Al-ADL took responsibility for the attack in a statement. The Mehr news agency reported that several injured were taken to the hospital. The Balúchis Haalvsh Human Rights Group, citing eyewitnesses, said that several judiciary employees and security agents were killed or injured when the attackers broke into the judges’ office. The province of Sistan Baluchistan, near borders with Pakistan and Afghanistan, houses the Sunita Balúchi Muslim minority of Iran, which has long complained of economic marginalization and political exclusion. The province often has clashes involving security forces and armed groups, including Sunni militants and separatists who claim to fight for more rights and autonomy. The Iranian government accuses some of them with ties with foreign powers and involvement in smuggling and border insurgency.

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