HRANA – Following clashes between security guards of the Qolqoleh Gold Mine and a group of protesting residents of Pir-Amran village in Saqqez County, one villager was killed and three others were injured. Two of the shooters have been identified and arrested.

According to HRANA, citing ILNA, the confrontation took place yesterday evening, Monday, September 15. Four villagers were shot and transferred to medical centers. One of them died due to the severity of his injuries.

The Mukerian News Agency identified the deceased as Mohammad Rashidi, 22 years old.

The head of the Kurdistan Province Judiciary announced that a case has been opened in Saqqez County Prosecutor’s Office, adding that the shooters have been identified and arrested. Preliminary investigations by the case investigator have already begun, and the weapons used have been confiscated and handed over to law enforcement authorities.

The police commander of Saqqez County also confirmed the incident, citing disputes between villagers and mine officials as the cause of the clash.

The Qolqoleh Gold Mine, located near Pir-Emran village in Saqqez County, has previously been the scene of tensions between locals and mine authorities. Villagers have long raised concerns over environmental damage, land ownership, and lack of transparency in the exploitation of natural resources.