According to eyewitnesses, protests in the Kurdish city of Mahabad in northwestern Iran have led to mass violence. Accordingly, police and security forces allegedly entered the city with tanks on Saturday evening and fired indiscriminately at demonstrators. Electricity also went out in the city for a short time. The situation had escalated – numerous residents were injured, eyewitnesses reported.
It was unclear if there were any deaths. The accounts could not be independently verified. The pro-government news agency Tasnim presented the situation differently:
“Armed Terrorists”
On Sunday night, “armed terrorists” set fire to private houses and public facilities, causing panic throughout the city and its inhabitants. However, several leaders of the “terrorist groups” could have been convicted and jailed, the Tasnim report said, citing local security officials.
Military convoys through the streets
Videos shared thousands of times on social media showed military convoys moving through the streets. The Oslo-based human rights organization Hengaw reported that helicopters circled over the Kurdish city. The location and time of the shootings could not initially be independently verified. According to media reports, there were renewed protests in other parts of the country on Saturday night against the Islamic leadership’s repressive course.
Justice is investigating several celebrities
According to media reports, the Iranian judiciary has launched investigations against several celebrities from politics, cinema and sports. Two former MPs, five actresses and a football coach were therefore summoned for questioning. They are accused of making “provocative and insulting” statements to officials on social media.
threat of work bans
If the investigations lead to charges against the eight, they risk a long-term ban from work. The mere support of the systemic protests, particularly by social media celebrities, is viewed by the judiciary as a threat to national security. Iran’s leaders see the protests as a Western conspiracy aimed at bringing about regime change in the country.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
