Tehran: Since the death of Mahsa Amini, a student in police custody in Iran, the ongoing protests against the hijab are not taking the name of stopping. Now the niece of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has also come forward in support of the protesters. According to a report by news agency Reuters, Farideh Moradkhani has called on foreign governments to cut all ties with Tehran. A video of Moradkhani’s statement is being shared rapidly on social media.
Moradkhani said in the video, “O free people, stand with us and tell your governments to stop supporting this murderous and child-killing regime. This regime is loyal to none of its religious principles and knows no rule except that of maintaining force and power.” News agency HRANA said that by 26 November, more than two months of nationwide unrest had killed 450 protesters, including 63 minors. The agency said 60 members of the security forces were killed and 18,173 protesters were detained.
Jalal Mahmudzadeh, a member of parliament from the predominantly Kurdish city of Mahabad, said on Sunday that at least 105 people had been killed in Kurdish-populated areas during the protests. He was speaking at a debate in parliament, as quoted by the Antekhan website.
40 foreigners were arrested
Iran has arrested 40 foreign nationals for allegedly playing a role in anti-government protests. “So far 40 foreign nationals have been arrested for their involvement in the protests,” judiciary spokesman Masoud Setayeshi told a news conference on 22 November, Iran Wire reported. He did not specify the nationality of those arrested. Iran has blamed people linked to foreign enemies for nationwide protests following the death of Mahsa Amini in September.
