Security forces killed a Kurd border porter or “kolbar” today in Baneh, western Iran. According to the Hengaw Organization, the man was identified as 63-year-old Hossein Faraji. An informed source said security forces opened fire on Hossein’s car, suspecting him of carrying smuggled goods.
Kolbars are hired to carry heavy loads across the border for a meager pay. Due to the lack of economic development, increasing poverty and unemployment in western Iran, more and more Iranian Kurds are forced to take up this dangerous and harsh occupation. The regime categorizes kolbars as “smugglers” and routinely shoots and kills them.
This is not an isolated case. Last week, 28-year-old Ghobad Rahmani, also a kolbar, was killed in Sarpol Zahab, western Iran.
According to Hengaw Iran’s security forces killed 4 kolbars and injured 13 others in Iran’s western and northwestern borders in May.
Source » irannewswire