Jundullah leader captured by Iranian authorities

Abdolmalek Rigui

Iranian Ministry of Intelligence announced that they have succeeded in arresting Abdolmalek Rigui, leader of Jundullah Organization. In a press release, the ministry announced that the leader of the “terrorist group,” Jundullah was arrested in “an important operation” by ministry agents in the east of the country.

Fars news agency reports that the Prosecutor-General of Zahedan confirmed the arrest of Rigui this morning.

FARS news agency claims this is a photo of Rigui while entering Iran

It has not been clarified whether Pakistan cooperated in the arrest but according to Mostafa Mohammad Najjar, the Interior Minister, Rigui was arrested outside of Iran.

The Islamic Republic has captured and executed a number of Jundullah members in the past years. The brother of Abdolmalek Rigui, Abdolhamid Rigui is currently in custody of Iranian security forces and the judiciary has already issued his death sentence.

Jundullah is active in the Baluchestan region which is located in the border of Iran and Pakistan. The organization has claimed responsibility for a series of attacks on military sites and Iranian officials within Iran. “Blocking roads, massacre of travellers in the Tasouki region of Zabol, bombing a bus carrying Revolutionary Guards in Zahedan, exploding a bomb across from government buildings and execution of 17 police officers” are also amongst the actions that the group has claimed responsibility for.

Jundullah claims that it is fighting for the rights of the Sunni minority in Iran but Tehran regards Jundullah as a terrorist group backed by Israel and the US.

Iranian Minister of Intelligence, Heydar Moslehi announced that the ministry has discovered evidence that establish Jundullah’s ties to Israeli, US and British spy agencies. Abdolmakek Rigui’s identification card which Moslehi claims was provided for him by Americans in Pakistan and a visa issued for Rigui’s companion in Dubai are amongst the said evidence.

Moslehi also maintained that Abdolmalek Rigui met with NATO commanders in Afghanistan. He added that Rigui has travelled to several European countries and was also in communication with some European officials.