Saturday 24 September 2022 02:23 PM Iran's president calls for fresh crackdown as hijab demos death toll hits 50 trends now
Iran's president has called for a 'decisive' crackdown on the mass protests that have sent the Islamic theocracy reeling over the past week after the death in custody of a woman detained by the Islamic Republic's morality police.
The call for harsh measures come as the country's ayatollahs scramble to get to grips with violent countrywide demonstrations that have seen at least 50 killed in more than 80 cities and hundreds arrested, according to a report by an Iranian human rights group.
The protests broke out in north-western Iran a week ago at the funeral of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish woman who died after falling into a coma following her detention by morality police enforcing hijab rules on women's dress.
State media quoted President Ebrahim Raisi on Saturday as saying Iran must 'deal decisively with those who oppose the country's security and tranquillity'.
Raisi was speaking by telephone to the family of a member of the Basij volunteer force killed while taking part in the crackdown on unrest in the north-eastern city of Mashhad.
The president 'stressed the necessity to distinguish between protest and disturbing public order and security, and called the events ... a riot,' state media reported.
Iranian state television put the number dead at 35 during the weeklong demonstrations, with protest spreading to most of the country's 31 provinces.
On Friday, state-organised rallies took place in several Iranian cities to counter the anti-government protests, with marchers calling for the execution of rioters and bearing posters with the phrase 'We are obedient to the leader.'
Protestors march through Sadeqieh Square in West Tehran on the eighth night of demonstrations that have rocked the Islamic regime
Trouble has flared all over Iran, being recorded in every single province. The capital of Tehran, home to nearly 9 million people, has seen some of the most intense riots
A recent report has put the number killed during the week-long uprising at at least 50 as social media videos appear to show regime security forces opening fire on protesters
Iran's president has called for a 'decisive' crackdown on the mass protests that have sent the Islamic theocracy reeling over the past week after the death in custody of a woman detained by the Islamic Republic's morality police (picture from Wednesday September 21)
People have been clashing with police as they gather in the streets to voice their anger over the death of Mahsa Amini, 22, who died after allegedly being beaten by state morality police
The most recent report indicates that at least 50 people have been killed during the uprising, with many videos on social media appearing to show security forces firing at protesters
A police motorcycle burns during a protest over the death of Mahsa Amini as the violence has spread to every province of Iran
Some women demonstrators have defiantly taken off their hijabs and burned them in bonfires or symbolically cut their hair
Iran's army warned on Friday that it would 'confront the enemies' to ensure security
The police say she died of a heart attack and was not mistreated, but her family has cast doubt on that account
A defiant pensioner removed her headscarf and chanted 'death to Khamenei' and protesters ripped down posters of him while chanting 'death to the dictator' as violent protests continued to rage across Iran
The army warned on Friday that it would 'confront the enemies' to ensure security and peace in the country said 'these desperate actions are part of the evil strategy of the enemy to weaken the Islamic regime'.
Cities within Iran have been likened to a 'warzone' since the protests kicked off, with tires burning, petrol bombs being launched and cars being destroyed. There have even been claims that some cities, such as Oshnavieh, Sanandaj and Rudsar have been partially or totally occupied by protesters.
Babol, Amol and Rezvan Shahr which are all situated in the north of Iran, have the most reported killings by security forces, according to Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO).
