AHMAD BALADI, WHO SET HIMSELF ON FIRE IN PROTEST AFTER HIS KIOSK WAS DEMOLISHED, HAS PASSED AWAY

Ahmad Baledi, a 21-year-old street food vendor, set himself on fire after municipal officers in the Zeytoun neighborhood of Ahvaz demolished his food stand. He succumbed to his severe burns.

According to his father, Mojahed Baledi, the family had made a living from that small food stand for 21 years, raising six children with its modest income. He said that during the demolition, Mr. Ahmad begged the officers to stop, but they ignored him. When he warned that he would set himself on fire if they continued, one of the officers reportedly replied, “Go ahead, burn yourself, let’s see how you burn.” Moments later, the stand’s windows were smashed, tensions escalated, and Mr. Ahmad set himself ablaze.

The Ahvaz prosecutor announced that two municipal employees involved in the incident were arrested but later released on bail.