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Following strong protests that have rocked the country for the past 12 days, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi tried to calm the waters, saying that while people should not be afraid to dissent, these demonstrations were “unacceptable.” Claims are being carried out in some 80 Iranian cities for the death of Mahsa Amini. Some 41 people have died, according to state reports.
In order to calm the crisis unleashed throughout Iran by the death of the young Mahsa Amini, the president, Ebrahim Raisi, said that the event had “saddened” everyone, however, the president was relentless in the face of the claims of the demonstrators and assured that the “chaos” of the protests that have arisen throughout the country “is unacceptable.”
In his speech, he took the opportunity to support the security forces that confront the protesters and affirmed that “the government’s red line is the security of our people. People cannot be allowed to disturb the peace of society with riots.” .
Raisi, who ordered an investigation after the alleged murder of Amini, mentioned that “forensic experts will present the report on his death in the coming days.”
The death toll has been rising after two weeks of anti-government protests, people in the streets have been harshly repressed with tear gas and in some cases the authorities have used live ammunition, but this has failed to silence the protesters who chant ” Death to the dictator”, in reference to the supreme leader of the Islamic Republic, Ali Khamenei. So far, Khamenei has not spoken.
Raisi announces charges against those who have “participated in the chaos”
A watchdog body called on the judiciary “to decisively deal with the main perpetrators and those responsible for killing and injuring innocent people and security forces.”
The demonstrations against the government and the police have also been joined by celebrities both in Iran and abroad, including Iranian soccer players and artists. According to state media, the judiciary will bring charges against them.
The president warned that “whoever has participated and ignited the chaos and unrest will be held accountable”, although he added that “no one should be afraid to express their opinions”.
On the other hand, human rights groups reported the arrest of hundreds of people, including activists, lawyers and some 18 journalists.
Mahsa Amini was a 22-year-old woman who was detained by the Gasht-e Ershad, or morality police, for allegedly wearing “inadequate clothing.” She was accused of not wearing the Islamic veil in public.
The police took her away in a van and witnesses indicate that she was beaten. The authorities deny these facts and revealed a video in which a woman is seen fainting in a public place, saying it was her. Amini, who came from the Kurdish city of Saqez, died in hospital in police custody.
Many of the women who have taken to the streets after his death in Iran and other parts of the world have burned their hijab or Islamic veil and cut their hair in protest against the government and its religious policy.
Tehran accuses the West, particularly the United States and some European countries, of fomenting the protests in order to destabilize the government.
with Reuters
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