(Tehran) Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi promised on Tuesday to have “no mercy” towards those who display their hostility towards the Islamic Republic in the demonstrations sparked by the death in custody of Mahsa Amini.
These parades, generally described as “riots” by the authorities, began with the death on September 16 of this 22-year-old Iranian Kurd, after her arrest in Tehran on charges of having violated the strict dress code in force in country for women.
“The hypocrites, the monarchists, the counter-revolutionary currents and all those who have been harmed by the revolution have joined the demonstrations,” Raisi told a crowd gathered outside the University of Tehran for a tribute to the remains of 200 soldiers killed during the Iran-Iraq war (1980-1988).
“The arms of the nation are open to all who have been deceived. The young are our children,” he said, but “we will have no mercy for the hostile elements.”
Iranian officials have blamed the Islamic Republic’s “enemies”, such as the United States and other Western countries, for instigating the protests.
“If you think you can achieve your goals by spreading rumors and dividing society, you are wrong,” said Mr. Raïssi. “You want to deceive us, but we know you and we also know our nation.”
Iranian officials say hundreds of people have been killed, including dozens of security personnel, while thousands have been arrested in the protests where women and young people play a prominent role.
Human rights activists outside Iran estimate that more than 450 protesters were killed.
Justice has so far announced that it has sentenced 11 people to death for their role in the demonstrations: two have already been executed and two will be able to be retried.
Activists say a dozen others face the death penalty.