In order to quell the widespread anti-government unrest brought on by the murder of a lady in police custody, state-organized rallies were held in many Iranian cities on Friday. Marchers at the rallies demanded the execution of “rioters.”
The army announced that it would tackle “the enemy” behind the unrest, which could indicate the kind of repression that has quelled rallies in the past. This was the government’s clearest threat to date.
Live state television coverage of the protests revealed that the masses referred to the anti-government demonstrators as “Israel’s soldiers.”
They chanted, “Offenders of the Koran must be put to death.”
Heavy fights between anti-government protestors and security personnel were reported in Isfahan’s centre city by the 117,000-follower Twitter account 1500 tasvir.
Additionally, it featured footage of anti-government demonstrations on the streets of Shahin Shahr in central Iran and various districts of Tehran.
According to its own tally, state television reported that 35 people have died as a result of the turmoil so far; an official number will soon be released.
The death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini last week following her arrest by the morality police for “unsuitable dress” has many Iranians outraged.
Iranian law enforcement is tasked with enforcing adherence to the country’s clerical rulers’ definition of Islamic morality through the morality police.
The passing of Amini has rekindled outrage about issues such as the lack of personal freedom in Iran, the stringent dress code for women, and the crippled economy brought on by sanctions.
