Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency cited judicial officials as saying 1,000 people who were central to the protests would be tried in Tehran alone for their “subversive actions,” including attacks on security guards, burning public property and other charges. Nationwide protests first erupted over the September 16 death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in the custody of the country’s morality police. She was arrested for allegedly violating Iran’s strict dress code for women. Although the protests initially focused on Iran’s mandatory headscarf, or hijab, they have since turned into one of the biggest challenges to the ruling clerics since the chaotic years after the 1979 Islamic Revolution. WATCHES | Iran issues new threat against protesters as Canadians show solidarity:
Iran issues new threat against protesters as Canadians show solidarity
“Those who intend to challenge and undermine the regime depend on foreigners and will be punished according to legal standards,” said Iran’s judiciary chief Gholam-Hossein Mohseni Ejei, indicating that some protesters would be charged with collaborating with foreign governments. Officials in Tehran have repeatedly made unsubstantiated claims that Iran’s foreign enemies have fomented the unrest.
The protests continue
“Without a doubt, our judges will deal with the cases of the recent riots with precision and speed,” he said. Security forces have broken up rallies with live fire and tear gas during weeks of ongoing protests. At least 270 people were killed and 14,000 arrested, according to the group Human Rights Activists in Iran. The protests have continued – even as the terrorist Revolutionary Guard has warned young Iranians to stop. Ejay claimed that prosecutors tried to distinguish between angry Iranians who were simply trying to vent their grievances in the streets and those who wanted to overthrow the theocracy. “Even among the rioters it should be clarified who had the foresight to confront the system and overthrow it,” he said. Judicial authorities announced charges against hundreds of people in other Iranian provinces. Some have been accused of “corrupting the earth” and “warring against God,” offenses that carry the death penalty.
