Ten others were injured, the state news agency reported on Wednesday afternoon. An Iranian newspaper had previously reported that three attackers opened fire on those present at the shrine of Shah Cheragh, brother of the eighth Imam Resa.
Previously there were riots in Saghes. An eyewitness told Portal that protesters were shot. Dozens of people were arrested. The semi-state news agency INSA reported that around 10,000 people attended Saghes on the last day of the mourning period. In Iran, a family member is traditionally mourned for 40 days. Authorities also shut down the internet in Amini’s hometown for “security reasons”, according to a report.
The death of the 22-year-old Iranian Kurd was the trigger for the system-critical mass protests in Iran. Religious police arrested her for allegedly violating Islamic dress codes. The woman died in police custody on September 16. Since her death, thousands have demonstrated across the country against the repressive course of the government and the Islamic system of government.
“Woman, Life, Freedom”
This was also the case on Wednesday: Videos on social media showed thousands of people in Saghes who, despite a large-scale police operation, went to the cemetery or gathered in front of Amini’s grave. Many of them chanted “Death to the Dictator”, videos posted online showed. According to the Iranian news agency Fars, around 2,000 people chanted “Woman, Life, Freedom”, the slogan of the protest movement.
Clapping, shouting and honking the mourners huddled on the road that connects Saghes to the cemetery five miles away. The authenticity of the corresponding recordings has been verified by Hengaw in accordance with its own statements.
Activists: Security forces threatened Amini’s family
According to activists, security forces had previously threatened Amini’s family saying they would “fear for their son’s life” if a ceremony was held at the cemetery. Images shared by Hengaw showed a strong police presence in Saghes. Security forces tried to block access to the city.
Still, dozens of people managed to enter the city in cars and motorcycles, some on foot. The cemetery was filled with police officers and members of the Basij militia, an eyewitness told Portal. “They tried to stop us from entering the cemetery, but I managed to get in. I still haven’t seen Mahsa’s parents.” Another witness reported that many residents were on their way to the cemetery.
APA/AFP/ESN Several people on their way to Amini’s hometown
Schools and universities closed in Kurdish provinces
Schools and universities in the Kurdish province were closed on Wednesday – officially because of a flu epidemic. Observers, on the other hand, say the closures were meant to prevent protests. It was mainly the students who were the first to protest the leadership. They were joined by people from virtually all walks of life.
“The cities of Sanandaj, Saghes, Divandarreh, Mariwan and Kamjaran in Kurdistan province are on general strike,” Hengaw said on Twitter. Witnesses also reported a massive police presence on the streets of the capital Tehran and in Tabriz and Rascht in the north of the country.
Police use tear gas against doctors’ demonstration
In the evening, people also gathered in the Iranian capital to sing exuberantly in the street. In the north of the metropolis, many women were seen without the mandatory scarf, according to eyewitness accounts.
Hours earlier, Tehran police had used tear gas against a medical demonstration. Doctors spoke out against the presence of security forces in the clinics, where protesters are also treated. Eyewitnesses confirmed a large police presence and checks on Tehran’s main streets. Many stores were closed due to fear of riots.
According to the human rights organization Iran Human Rights (IHR), at least 141 protesters were killed across the country during the protests and the violent crackdown by Iranian security forces.
New US sanctions
Because of the brutal crackdown on national protests in Iran, the US has imposed new sanctions on Iran’s leadership. As the US Treasury Department announced in Washington on Wednesday, the new US sanctions target the commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard and his deputy, high-ranking officials such as the warden of the notorious Ewin prison in the capital Tehran, and members of the service. secret.
The US accuses them of overseeing organizations involved in the violent repression of protests and killings, including of children. As a result of the sanctions, any assets of those affected in the US will be frozen. Doing business with them is prohibited for US citizens.
Iran had already put European politicians and institutions on a sanctions list in response to punitive measures against the country. The Persian language department of Deutsche Welle (DW) is mentioned in today’s statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Members of the European Parliament and two German companies are also affected. About a week ago, Iran put more than a dozen British people and institutions on a terrorist list.