Protests Continue for Over 12 Days... Over 2,000 Arrested
Bereaved Families Sue Police... "Will Hold Responsible for Death During Interrogation"
[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The President of Iran expressed regret over the so-called 'Hijab suspicious death' incident that triggered nationwide anti-government protests. The protests sparked by the incident have continued across Iran for more than 12 days, with over 2,000 people reportedly arrested so far.
According to CNN on the 28th (local time), President Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi stated in a national address broadcast on state television, "The death of Mahsa Amini saddened us all," adding, "I was briefed on the incident and called the bereaved family to express my condolences." This direct expression of regret is interpreted as a response to the ongoing large-scale protests triggered by the incident.
Earlier, the victim of this incident, Amini, was arrested on the 13th in downtown Tehran by the 'Guidance Patrol' (Gasht-e Ershad) for not properly wearing her hijab. She suddenly collapsed while being interrogated at the police station and was transferred to a hospital, where she died on the 16th. President Raisi promised a thorough investigation, stating, "A forensic report on the Amini case will be released soon."
The Iranian police explained that no violence was used during the investigation and that a heart attack is presumed to be the cause of death, but the bereaved family refutes this, saying Amini had no history of heart disease. Amini's family has filed a lawsuit against the morality police officers involved. Saleh Nikbakht, the family's lawyer, stated, "We will hold accountable the officers who arrested Amini on the street and the police involved in the interrogation for her death."
Anti-government protests have continued for more than 12 days in major cities across Iran. According to the semi-official Iranian Fars News Agency, as of this date, the death toll from clashes between police and protesters has reached 60, and more than 2,000 people have been arrested for participating in the protests.
President Raisi made it clear that the ongoing anti-government protests are unacceptable. He emphasized, "Everyone can freely express their opinions, but riots cannot be tolerated," adding, "We will strictly deal with acts that threaten public safety and damage property."
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