At least 35 people have already been killed in Iran during protests in the case of Mahsa Amini, a young woman who was arrested by the country’s customs police for not wearing a veil, as authorities believe is appropriate.
Mahsa was pronounced dead on the 16th of this month, three days after her arrest.
According to Iranian state media, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said on Saturday (24th) that the country must “deal decisively with those who oppose the security and tranquility of the country”.
Raisi’s comments came in a call of condolences to the family of a security guard who was stabbed to death during a demonstration last week, Portal news agency reported.
2 of 7 ProIranian government rally in Tehran on September 23, 2022 — Photo: Majid Asgaripour/Wana/Portal
Rally in support of the Iranian government in Tehran on September 23, 2022 — Photo: Majid Asgaripour/Wana/Portal
Stateorganized rallies were held in several Iranian cities on Friday to quell antigovernment protests, and the army vowed to fight “the enemies” behind the unrest.
Beginning of the demonstrations
A week ago, protests erupted in northwestern Iran at the funeral of Mahsa Amini, a 22yearold Kurdish woman who died after falling into a coma after being arrested by customs police.
Her death has reignited anger over issues such as restrictions on personal liberties in Iran, strict dress codes for women and an economy that has suffered from sanctions.
Women have featured prominently in the protests by waving and burning their veils. According to Reuter, some have publicly cut their hair as angry mobs called for the ouster of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
3 of 7 In Iran, women flee police during protests. — Photo: Associated Press
In Iran, women flee police during a protest. — Photo: Associated Press
The protests are the largest to sweep the country since the 2019 fuel price demonstrations, when around 1,500 people were killed in a crackdown on protesters. It was the bloodiest confrontation in the history of the Islamic Republic.
Iranian news agencies reported on Saturday that 739 protesters were arrested in the northern Caspian province of Gilan.
The activist’s Twitter account 1500tasvir, which has 125,000 followers, said communication channels with the northwestern city of Oshnavih had been cut and landlines cut.
Oshnavih was one of several cities in northwestern Iran, home to most of the country’s 10 million Kurds, who staged a strike on Friday. Kurdish rights group Hengaw released a video on Friday showing protesters controlling parts of the city.
4 out of 7 protests against the death of young Mahsa Amini in the Iranian capital Tehran on September 21. — Photo: Portal
Protests against the death of young Mahsa Amini in the Iranian capital Tehran on September 21. — Photo: Portal
5 of 7 act in the capital Erbil, capital of Iraqi Kurdistan. — Photo: Portal
Trade in the capital of Erbil, the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan. — Photo: Portal
6 of 7 Women also protested the death of Mahsa Amini in Istanbul, Turkey. — Photo: Portal
Also in Istanbul, Turkey, women protested the death of Mahsa Amini. — Photo: Portal
7 of 7 In Beirut, Lebanon, women took part in a demonstration following the death of Mahsa Amini on September 21, 2022. — Photo: Portal
In Beirut, Lebanon, women took part in a demonstration following the death of Mahsa Amini on September 21, 2022. — Photo: Portal