Arrests were made again today in Iran in connection with anti-government protests, according to state media. Seven key players in the recent protests with links to Britain have been arrested by Revolutionary Guard intelligence services, it said in a statement. Among them are “citizens with dual nationality who have tried to leave the country”.
Protests against the country’s leadership have been going on in Iran for months. The trigger was the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini. She died in controversial circumstances in September after being taken into police custody for wearing inappropriate clothing in line with Iran’s strict Islamic dress code for women. The protests pose one of the biggest challenges for the Islamic Republic ruled by Shia Muslims since the 1979 revolution.
According to human rights organization HRANA, 506 protesters have been killed in protests so far, including 69 minors. More than 18,500 protesters were arrested. 66 members of the security forces were also killed in the riots. The government has said the protesters are being trained and armed by Iranian enemies, including the US, Israel and Saudi Arabia.