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Iran's crackdown risks blinding protesters

Amid rising alarm about protesters held incommunicado, medics and activists fear injury and even permanent blindness from birdshot fired by security forces.
Iranians gather during a protest to voice their anger after their province's lifeblood river dried up due to drought and diversion, in the central city of Isfahan, on Nov. 19, 2021.

Iranian activists expressed serious concern about 214 protesters arrested during last week's rallies against water mismanagement in the central city of Isfahan.

In a statement Dec. 29, the Center for Human Rights in Iran said the country's officials were responsible for those held in custody, many of them incommunicado, including at least 13 children.

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