Over 100 Killed in Iran's Harsh Crackdown on Anti-Government Protests

Iranian Government: "Death Penalty for Participating in or Aiding Protests"

It has been reported that more than 100 people have died as the Iranian government continues its harsh crackdown on anti-government protests for the second consecutive week.

On January 10 (local time), major international news outlets such as the Associated Press cited the U.S. human rights group Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), reporting that at least 116 people have died since the anti-government protests began in Iran on December 28. This marks a significant increase from 65 deaths reported the previous day. However, it remains unclear exactly how many of the deceased were protesters.

HRANA also stated that more than 2,600 people have been detained as a result of the protests. Since January 8, international phone calls and internet access within Iran have been cut off, making it even more difficult to assess the situation inside the country, while the protests appear to be intensifying.

CNN reported, citing local residents, that deaths have occurred at protest sites due to the violent crackdown by security forces. It was also reported that bodies have been seen stacked on top of one another in hospitals.

However, Iranian state television has only reported casualties among security forces, without mentioning any deaths among protesters. The broadcaster repeatedly aired footage that allegedly showed protesters firing guns at security forces, stating that protests continued in the capital Tehran and in Mashhad in the northeast.

Iranian authorities have continued their hardline response, warning that anyone participating in the protests will face the death penalty. Mohammad Movahedi-Azad, Iran's Prosecutor General, declared in a statement broadcast on state television that "anyone who participates in the protests will be considered an enemy of God," adding that "this is a charge punishable by death." He also warned that those who assist protesters would face the same charges.

On the 9th, anti-government protesters in the Tehran area of Iran were captured on social media resisting government suppression. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News