Four killed in Iran during protests over death in custody – rights group

DUBAI, Sept 19 (Reuters) – Four folks had been killed in Iran’s Kurdish area on Monday when safety forces opened fireplace during protests over the death of a girl in police custody, a Kurdish rights group stated, on a 3rd day of turmoil over an occasion that has ignited nationwide anger.

Mahsa Amini, a 22-yr-outdated from Iran’s Kurdistan province, fell right into a coma and died following her arrest in Tehran final week by the morality police, sparking demonstrations in quite a few areas together with the capital. learn extra

Two of the folks had been killed as safety forces opened fireplace on protesters in the Kurdish metropolis of Saqez, Amini’s hometown, the Hengaw Human Rights Organisation stated on Twitter.

It stated two extra had been killed in the city of Divandarreh “by direct fire” from safety forces.

There was no official affirmation of the deaths.

Reuters couldn’t independently confirm the reviews.

State TV stated plenty of protesters had been arrested however rejected “some claims of deaths on social media” by displaying two injured youths who denied reviews that they had been killed. Their names had been completely different to these in Hengaw’s report.

In the nationwide condemnations of Amini’s death, the Persian hashtag #MahsaAmini reached practically 2 million Twitter mentions.

The police have stated Amini fell in poor health as she waited with different girls being held by the morality police, who implement strict guidelines in the Islamic republic requiring girls to cowl their hair and put on free becoming garments in public.

But her father has repeatedly stated his daughter had no well being issues, including that she had suffered bruises to her legs. He held the police answerable for her death.

The protests have been most intense in the Kurdish area, the place the authorities have beforehand put down unrest by the Kurdish minority.

Hengaw stated 15 folks had been injured in Divandarreh.

A video posted on Twitter earlier by Hengaw confirmed protesters throwing rocks whereas a person might be heard saying “there is a war in Divandarreh” and accusing the police of attacking.

Reuters couldn’t confirm the authenticity of the video.

Internet blockage observatory NetBlocks reported “near-total disruption to internet connectivity in Sanandaj” – the provincial capital of the Kurdish area – on Monday, linking it to the protests, in response to its Twitter account.

In Washington, the White House demanded accountability for Amini’s death. learn extra

“Mahsa Amini’s death after injuries sustained while in police custody for wearing an ‘improper’ hijab is an appalling and egregious affront to human rights,” a White House spokesperson stated.

‘UNFORTUNATE INCIDENT’

Tehran Police commander Hossein Rahimi stated “cowardly accusations” had been made in opposition to police, that Amini suffered no bodily hurt, and the police had “done everything” to maintain her alive.

“This incident was unfortunate for us and we wish to never witness such incidents,” Rahimi stated.

A police video confirmed a girl recognized as Amini strolling right into a room and sitting down alongside others, earlier than quick-forwarding to indicate her on her toes speaking to somebody who was inspecting a part of her clothes.

The girl then raised her arms to her head and collapsed.

Offenders in opposition to Iran’s sharia, or Islamic legislation, face public rebuke, fines or arrest. But activists have just lately urged girls to take away veils regardless of the hardline rulers’ crackdown on “immoral behaviour”. learn extra

Masoud Barzani, former president of Iraq’s Kurdish area, despatched condolences to Amini’s household on Sunday, a press release stated.

In Tehran, a extensively-adopted Iranian protest Twitter account posted footage displaying what it stated was a protest at a college in opposition to the paramilitary Basij, a militia.

Other movies confirmed police utilizing a water cannon to disperse protesters in Tehran, and demonstrations spreading to cities similar to Rasht, Mashhad and Isfahan.

Reuters couldn’t independently confirm the movies.

Vali Nasr of the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies stated the protests mirrored pent up frustrations over issues together with “the ethnic issue, the hijab issue, as well as … unhappiness with the way in which authorities react and brutally handle the population”.

An official organisation that promotes Islamic morals urged reform to the best way Iran implements guidelines on hijab carrying, calling for much less policing and extra encouragement for ladies to abide by the foundations.

Reporting by Dubai Newsroom; Writing by Tom Perry; Editing by Ed Osmond, Leslie Adler and Grant McCool

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