Conflicts & War

Iran’s president urges unity as unrest grows over Amini’s death

Tehran, Oct 4 (EFE).- Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi called for unity on Tuesday, as protests over the death of Mahsa Amini spread at universities across the Islamic republic

“Unity and national integrity are necessities that render our enemy hopeless,” Raisi pointed out in an address to the parliament.

Raisi said that Iran had “weaknesses and shortcomings” but once again blamed the protests on “conspiracies by the country’s enemies,” referring to the United States and Israel.

On Monday, Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei accused Israel and the US of masterminding the ongoing demonstrations across the country in his first reaction to the case of Amini, who died in police custody in mid-September after her arrest for allegedly not wearing her veil correctly.

The 22-year-old woman was arrested by Iran’s morality police on September 13 for violating the country’s strict dress rules.

Authorities say she had a stroke while in police custody and was admitted to Tehran’s Kasra Hospital hours after her arrest where she fell into a coma.

The young woman died on September 16. Iranian police issued a statement confirming her arrest and denying any responsibility in Amini’s death.

Since then, thousands of young Iranians have taken to the streets to protest against the mandatory hijab law, and demand more freedoms.

Unrest has spread to universities, where heavy clashes between students and security forces have been recorded.

Tehran’s prominent Sharif University of Technology suspended in-person learning and switched to online classes on Monday after security forces violently cracked down on students.

High school students have also joined the protests, according to unverified videos posted on social networks by activists and journalists.

In the city of Sanandaj, people chanted “Women, life, freedom” while waving their headscarves defiantly, according to a video published by activists.

Another video showed young students in the city of Karaj in Alborz province removing their hijabs and throwing them at a teacher.

Police have suppressed rallies that have entered their third week using batons, tear gas, water cannons, and live ammunition, according to the United Nations.

Over a week ago, Iranian state television said that 41 people have died amid the protests, but the Oslo-based Human Rights in Iran NGO placed the number of those killed at 92.EFE. EFE

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