Iran rocked by more violence as protesters mourn victims
The clashes saw angry protesters taking on government forces, who had opened fire and blocked ways to the victims’ graves.
More than ten Iranian cities saw yet another day of turmoil after protesters attempted to pay tribute to victims of the crackdown on anti-government unrest that has gripped the country since Mahsa Amini’s death in police custody back in September.
The city of Karaj, 40 kilometers west of the capital Tehran, was filled with chaotic scenes, according to reports by both state media and opposition observers.
The tensions broke out after government forces confronted thousands marching to a cemetery to mark 40 days into the death of Hadis Najafi, a 22-year old woman killed during the protests. Videos showed security forces closing off roads leading to the graveyard. And amid repeated firing by security forces, smoke was billowing from police kiosks and vehicles set on fire by protesters.
In other videos, three police officers were seen bleeding inside their vehicle after being “attacked by protesters,” who were said to have disarmed them. The same area also saw government helicopters over the crowds while eyewitnesses filmed parked private cars smashed by “riot police.”
