A “great demonstration of the Iranian people to condemn the conspirators”. Thousands of people marched this Friday in Tehran to defend the use of the veil and punish the “conspirators”, according to the official Irna agency, referring to the demonstrators who have been protesting for a week over the death of a woman detained by the police. . .
At least 17 people died in these protests triggered by this death, according to a report by the authorities who deny any involvement in this violence.
Clashes between protesters and police
These demonstrations were marked by clashes between demonstrators and security forces, whose vehicles were set on fire, according to media and activists. The police arrested an unknown number of people.
Faced with these protests, the authorities decided to retaliate by organizing their own demonstrations after Friday prayers. Friday Prayer Imam Seyed Ahmad Khatami set the tone in his sermon at Tehran University. “I strongly call on the judiciary to act quickly against rioters who mistreat people, set fire to public property and burn the Koran,” he said, according to state television footage.
“Punish these criminals with the weapon of the law,” he said.
“Advocating for the end of the veil is playing US politics”
The faithful, for their part, raised banners thanking the police, “the backbone of the country”, and attacked the women who burned their veils. “Advocating an end to the veil is American politics,” they chanted.
Other demonstrations in support of the police also took place in several cities in the country such as Isfahan, in the center of the country, Tabriz (northwest), Qom (north) and Ahvaz (west). They were organized by the Islamic Development Coordination Council, which is responsible for organizing official events.
In a statement, Iranians who protested on Friday condemned “the conspirators and those who violated the holy precepts of religion.” “Today more than ever, the tree of the Revolution is robust and rooted,” they add.
Mahsa Amini, 22, was arrested on 13 September in Tehran for “wearing inappropriate clothing” by the morality police charged with enforcing the Islamic Republic’s dress code. She died three days later in hospital and her death sparked a series of protests across the country. The authorities, who deny any involvement in her death, have promised an investigation.
Source: BFM TV
