Iranian Conscript Takes His Own Life as Military Suicides Rise

An Iranian military conscript took his own life by gunshot on February 29 amid a surge in suicides among Iranian military personnel.

Behnam Jafarizadeh, the revolutionary prosecutor of Bam city in the southeastern city of Kerman province, reported that the conscript was serving in the city's judiciary office. 

"After being granted a few hours of leave, the soldier returned to his service unit and took his own life while alone," Jafarizadeh told the semi-official Mehr news agency. 

He was on guard duty and shot himself with a Kalashnikov rifle. The identity of the conscript was not disclosed.

Jafarizadeh added that examination of the conscripts' final communications "suggests personal issues may have played a role."

Military service is mandatory for all Iranian male citizens above 18, with some exceptions, according to the Iranian constitution. 

The 24-month service duration, coupled with potential physical and psychological pressures, has drawn criticism. Some cases lead to self-harm or violence.

In January a conscript opened fire on fellow soldiers in the same province and killed five of them. 

The incident occurred on January 21 when the soldier arrived at a barracks dormitory and opened fire on the resting soldiers.