Dozens Feared Dead: Iran Faces Nationwide Protests
The largest anti-government demonstrations in Iran in recent years intensified friday night, raising fears of increased casualties as authorities attempt to suppress the protests.
Social media footage emerging from Iran, despite a widespread internet and telecommunications shutdown, showed hundreds of thousands marching and chanting anti-regime slogans across the country. Some videos depicted graphic scenes of bodies lying in blood, and showed a critically important number of elderly people participating in the protests.
Footage from Fardis, a city about 31 miles west of Tehran, showed at least seven bodies covered in blood inside a building. People were seen providing first aid, and a voice claimed at least 10 people were killed by gunfire. Bloomberg hasn’t been able to independently verify this footage.
Tasnim news agency reported Saturday that security forces have arrested nearly 200 individuals described as “leaders of terrorist groups,” and seized ammunition, hand grenades, and Molotov cocktails. Iran’s prosecutor general, Mohammad Movahedi Azad, warned that all detainees will be charged as “enemies of god” – an offense punishable by death under Islamic law.
Azad stated that all “rioters” would face the same charge,regardless of their involvement,even if they merely assisted protesters or were considered “mercenaries.” He added that trials will proceed quickly and “without leniency, compassion, or indulgence,” according to state-run IRIB News.
The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency reported at least 65 people have been killed and 2,311 arrested as protests began on December 28th. The initial protests were sparked by traders in Tehran demonstrating against a currency crisis and declining living conditions, but have since spread nationwide.
The Human Rights Activists group identified 38 of the fatalities as occurring in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, Ilam, Kermanshah, and Fars provinces. time magazine reported Friday that at least 217 protesters have died in Tehran,primarily from live ammunition,citing a doctor in the capital.
As of saturday, internet-monitoring group NetBlocks reported a nationwide internet blackout remained in effect in Iran. Many users both inside and outside the country reported being unable to connect to international online services.