Tensions High In Iranian Town As Second Teen In Critical Condition

Police forces at the scene of a deadly brawl in Meybod in the central Yazd province (December 2023)
Police forces at the scene of a deadly brawl in Meybod in the central Yazd province (December 2023)

A second teenager injured in a clash between Afghan and Iranian youths in Meybod this week is in a critical condition as calls for the expulsion of illegal Afghans grow.

After the killing of Amir-Reza Aghaei last Thursday, public demonstrations took place on Friday, as residents of Meybod urged the government to deport Afghan immigrants who have no legal status. Of the 90,000 population in Meybod, around 12,000 are believed to be Afghans.

Two teenagers were stabbed on Thursday and subsequently rushed to hospital. One succumbed to his injuries, and the other, Amirhossein Rahimi, was transferred to a hospital in Yazd for urgent surgery where his condition remains critical.

Speaking to Etemad, Amir-Reza's uncle demanded the harshest punishment for the attackers. ChamaranBaharloui, the prosecutor of Meybod, announced that two suspects have been identified and arrested in connection with the murder case.

The incident adds fuel to the ongoing debate surrounding the Afghan population in Iran, estimated to have possibly reached ten million since the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan in 2021.

The rapid growth of the Afghan population has sparked controversy, with some media and politicians suggesting that authorities are encouraging the growth, citing concerns about potential threats to national security.