At least 35 people have been killed in Iran after eight consecutive nights of protests sparked by the death of a young Kurdish woman arrested by vice police for wearing the veil “inappropriately”.
“State television announced on Friday evening that the death toll in recent riots in the country has risen to 35 people,” Borna News, the news agency linked to Iran’s Sports Ministry, reported on Saturday.
Thursday, the same television had reported the death of 17 people during these demonstrations, the authorities denying any involvement in this violence.
But the toll is likely to be much heavier, the opposition NGO Iran Human Rights (IHR), based in Oslo, reporting Friday at least 50 dead in the repression by the security forces of the demonstrations.
Mahsa Amini, 22, was arrested on September 13 in Tehran for “wearing inappropriate clothes” by police charged with enforcing the Islamic Republic’s strict dress code.
The young woman died three days later in hospital, and her death sparked nightly protests in major cities across Iran, including the capital Tehran.
In Iran, women must cover their hair and are not allowed to wear short or tight coats or jeans with holes.
On Friday evening, Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi reiterated that Mahsa Amini had not been beaten by security forces.
“Reports from surveillance services were received, witnesses were interviewed, videos were reviewed, forensic opinions were obtained and it was found that there had been no beatings” delivered to the young woman, indicated on television Mr. Vahidi, quoted by the local media.
According to him, the Iranian government is investigating “the cause of death of Mahsa Amini [mais] we have to wait for the final opinion of the medical examiner, which takes time”.
Mr. Vahidi further criticized “those who have taken irresponsible positions, […] and incited violence,” accusing them of “following the United States, European countries, and anti-revolutionary groups.”
In a statement released on Saturday, the Interior Ministry warned that it would continue to “deal with the riots to protect the rights of citizens by respecting all legal and Islamic norms”.
“Bloodshed”
In several cities of Iran – a country with more than 80 million inhabitants, 90% Shia – demonstrators clashed with security forces, set fire to police vehicles and chanted anti-government slogans, according to media and reports. activists.
After a march of several thousand people who marched in favor of the compulsory wearing of the veil, at the call of the authorities, new night demonstrations took place Friday in the country, online videos showing scenes of violence in Tehran and in other major cities including Tabriz.
Some footage shows security forces firing on unarmed protesters in Piranshahr, Mahabad and Urmia.
One such video, shared by IHR on social media, notably shows a man in military uniform firing an AK-47 assault rifle at protesters on Ferdowsi Boulevard in Tehran.
Amnesty International, which on Friday evening called for “urgent global action to end the crackdown”, said it had gathered evidence from 20 cities across Iran showing “a pattern… of Iranian security forces deliberately firing and illegally using live ammunition on demonstrators”.
The NGO warned of “the risk of further bloodshed in the context of a deliberately imposed internet blackout”.
Internet connections are still very disrupted in Iran with the blocking of WhatsApp and Instagram.
On Friday, Washington announced the lifting of some bans on trade with Iran, to allow technology companies to provide platforms and services that allow Iranians to access the Internet.
The announcement comes days after SpaceX owner Elon Musk said he intended to seek an exemption from sanctions against Iran from the US administration in order to offer internet connection services there via its constellation. of Starlink satellites.