Monday marked the third day of unrest in Iran, with protests in numerous places, including Tehran, the capital. Two people were killed when security forces fired on protesters in the Kurdish city of Saqez, Amini’s hometown, while two others were killed in the city of Divandarreh and a fifth in Dehgolan, according to hengaw, a guardian of rights. The Washington Post could not immediately verify the claims independently.
In Tehran, photos from the scene of a protest showed protesters huddled around a burning motorcycle. Videos posted on social media appeared to show protesters injured after clashing with authorities. Internet access was restricted in parts from the country.
Iran has not confirmed any deaths during the protests. The semi-official Fars news agency reported that the protesters were dispersed by security forces in several cities, and that the leaders of some of the protests were detained by the police.
A senior morality police officer, Col. Ahmed Mirzaei, was suspended following Amini’s death, according to iran International, a news channel based in London. Officials denied those claims. the guardian reported. The Interior Ministry previously ordered an investigation into Amini’s death at the behest of arch-conservative Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi.
Tehran Metropolitan Area Police Commander told reporters that Amini was walking in a park and wearing an inappropriate hijab. She said that she did not resist arrest and even made jokes in the police van. The veil and other conservative dress have been mandatory for women since the 1979 Iranian revolution.
US Secretary of State Antonio Blinken called on the Iranian government to “end its systematic persecution of women and allow peaceful protests,” in a tweet on Tuesday.
Raisi is in New York this week, where he will address the UN General Assembly on the country’s relations with the West. He told reporters at the Tehran airport that he has no plans to meet with President Biden on the sidelines of the event. Associated Press informed. Indirect negotiations between Washington and Tehran to revive a 2015 nuclear deal seems to be close to stalling.
Raisi, a hardline cleric who took office last year, has called for dress codes to be strictly enforced. Last month, a video appeared to show a woman detained by Iran’s increasingly assertive targeting patrols. being thrown of a speeding van.
The government crackdown sparked a protest movement over the summer by Iranian women, who photographed themselves without headscarves and posted the images on social media.
Kareem Fahim contributed to this report
