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Tehran clamps down as Iran mourns protesters

The Iranian authorities prepared for events commemorating 40 days since the November protests with arrests, internet disruptions and a heavy police presence.
People walk near a burnt bank, after protests against increased fuel prices, in Tehran, Iran November 20, 2019. Picture taken November 20, 2019. Nazanin Tabatabaee/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY - RC2CGD9NYPCE

There was a high security presence in the streets of Iran due to government fears over the commemoration of the November protests. Family members had invited protesters to the grave sites of those killed in the protests to mark the passage of 40 days, which has a particularly important significance in Shiite Islam.

The first sign that the government had prepared to block all commemorations came with the news of internet disruptions in various provinces. The Iranian Labor News Agency reported that the internet blackout was limited to a few provinces and domestic connections were not disrupted.

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