Forces suppress protests marking Amini’s death

• Published date: 18 September 2023
• Publication title: Otago Daily Times (New Zealand)

The Revolutionary Guards detained a dual national suspected of ‘‘trying to organise unrest and sabotage’’, one of several arrests of ‘‘counter revolutionaries’’ and ‘‘terrorists’’ reported, an official news agency said

On Saturday, a heavy security force presence in Iran’s mostly Kurdish areas appeared to have deterred large-scale protests but human rights groups reported sporadic confrontations in several areas of the country.

The death of Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish woman arrested by the morality police last year for allegedly flouting mandatory dress codes, triggered months of some of the biggest protests against the Islamic Republic’s Shi’ite clerical rule ever seen and drew international condemnation.

Despite the heavy security presence, there were indications of protest actions at various points around the country. Videos posted on social media showed people gathered on a main avenue in the capital Teheran cheering a young protesting couple as drivers honked their car horns in support.

Fire engulfed the women’s ward at the Qarchak prison in Teheran province before being put out after convicts awaiting execution set fire to their clothes, an official news agency reported.

There were no casualties.

The Kurdistan Human Rights Network said the incident was linked to the protests and special forces entered the ward, beat up the women and fired pellet bullets.

In a separate incident, human rights group Hengaw said security forces opened fire in the Kurdish city of Mahabad, wounding at least one person, and several people were wounded in Kermanshah but there was no official confirmation of either incident.

In Amini’s home...