At least 116 persons have been killed in anti-government protests in Iran over the past two weeks, with the authorities in the West Asian country warning of an intensified crackdown, AP reported.
The protests, which began on December 28, were initially focused on discontent about rising inflation. However, they later expanded in scope as protestors in over 100 cities demanded an end to clerical rule.
The authorities in Iran have accused the United States and Israel of inciting unrest. The government cut off internet access and telephone lines on Thursday, largely cutting off the country from the outside world.
Two weeks into the protests, the number of confirmed deaths in Iran rose to 116 on Saturday, non-governmental organisation Human Rights Activists in Iran said. It noted that the internet shutdowns and severe communication disruptions “have significantly limited the ability to disseminate information and independently verify events”.
The country’s Attorney General Mohammad Movahedi Azad on Saturday warned that anyone participating in the protests would be considered an “enemy of God,” a charge that carries the death penalty, according to AP. Iranian state television further quoted him as saying that even individuals who help rioters would face the charge.
“Prosecutors must carefully and without delay, by issuing indictments, prepare the grounds for the trial and decisive confrontation with those who, by betraying the nation and creating insecurity, seek foreign domination over the country,” the attorney general said.
Nevertheless, videos on social media purported to show fresh protests in capital city Tehran and several other urban centres such as Rasht in the north, Tabriz in the northwest and Shiraz and Kerman in the south, Reuters reported. The news agency, however, said it could not immediately verify the most recent videos.
A video from Friday verified by Reuters showed a protest in Tehran’s Saadatabad district, during which a man was heard saying that the crowd had taken over the area.
“The crowd is coming. 'Death to the dictator', 'Death to Khamenei',” the man said, in reference to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
United States President Donald Trump expressed support for the protestors, saying on social media: “Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before. The USA stands ready to help!!!”
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps alleged that “terrorists” had targeted military and law enforcement centres over the past two nights, Reuters reported. Several citizens and security personnel were killed, and public and private property was set ablaze, it said.
The elite military force said that safeguarding the achievements of the Islamic revolution and ensuring security constituted a "red line".
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