DUBAI, Sept 17 (Reuters) – Protests erupted in western Iran on Saturday at the funeral of a young woman who died after being arrested by morality police enforcing strict hijab rules, and security forces used tear gas to disperse protesters. Videos posted on social media showed protesters chanting anti-government slogans after gathering in Saqez, Mahsa Amini’s hometown. They came from nearby towns in Iran’s Kurdistan province to mourn the 22-year-old who died in a hospital in the capital Tehran on Friday. “Death to the dictator” – a reference to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, chanted the crowd, while some women removed their headscarves. Police were seen firing tear gas and a man appeared on video with a head injury that someone could be heard saying was caused by birdshot. Reuters was unable to verify the authenticity of the videos. Sign up now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comSign up Demonstrations spread to the provincial capital, Sanadai, and continued late into the night. Videos on social media showed crowds chanting “Saqez is not alone, he is supported by Sanandaj”. Protesters were seen confronting police amid sporadic gunfire. Other videos posted showed youths setting fire to tires and throwing stones at riot police in clouds of tear gas. In recent months, rights activists have urged women to remove their veils in public, a gesture that would risk arrest for defying the Islamic dress code as the country’s hardline leaders crack down on “immoral behaviour”. read more Videos posted on social media showed instances of police ethics units cracking down on women who had removed their hijab.
DEATH INVESTIGATION
Authorities have launched an investigation into Amini’s death, but a coroner said Saturday that the results of forensic tests could take three weeks. Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli told state television that he was not reported to have been beaten. Police said Amini fell ill while waiting with other female detainees in a police ethics station, rejecting claims on social media that she was likely beaten. Police have released CCTV footage which apparently supports their version of events. Reuters was unable to verify the identity of the video, which appeared to have been edited. Police earlier said Amini suffered a heart attack after being taken to the station for “training”. Her relatives denied that she was suffering from any heart condition. Prominent figures in sports and the arts posted critical comments on social media about Amini’s death, and protests took place in a Tehran on Friday amid a heavy security presence. As during previous protests, authorities appeared to have restricted mobile internet access in Saqez and nearby areas, social media posts said. Internet blocking watchdog NetBlocks reported “a major internet outage” in Tehran on Friday, linking it to the protests. read more Under Iran’s sharia, or Islamic law, imposed after the 1979 revolution, women are required to cover their hair and wear long, loose clothing to conceal their figures. Offenders face public reprimand, fines or arrest. Decades after the revolution, clerics still struggle to enforce the law, with many women of all ages and backgrounds wearing tight thigh-length coats and brightly colored scarves pushed back to reveal lots of hair. Sign up now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comSign up Report from the Dubai newsroom. Edited by Alex Richardson and David Gregorio Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
