Anti-govt rallies continue in Iran, 15 killed

International Desk: New protests have erupted in Iran as a wave of anti-government rallies that began last week shows no sign of losing its momentum.

Iranian state media has said that 14 people and one policeman have been killed after five days of demonstrations in different cities across the country. Some 400 protesters have reportedly been arrested.

The reports, which have not been independently verified, also said security forces repelled "armed protesters" who tried to take over police stations and military bases.

In the capital, Tehran, police on Monday evening used tear gas and water cannon to disperse a small protest near Engheleb Square.

"This is better than staying silent," Milad, a young protester said, his eyes red from tear gas.

Nearby, Aslan, a 52-year-old man in the area who was not demonstrating, said protesters "need a chance to show they are not happy".

"The government should let them protest," he said.

Also on Monday, a report by Iran's semi-official Mehr news agency said a police officer was killed, and three others were wounded in the central city of Najafabad after being shot by an assailant using a hunting rifle. It was not clear when the incident took place.

Sparked by anger over the state of the economy and the high cost of living, the rallies began on December 28 in the second-largest city of Mashhad.

Despite threats by the Republican Guards to put down the demonstrations, protesters have continued taking to the streets in other parts of Iran, in what has been described as the biggest show of dissent in the country since huge rallies took place in 2009.

"We cannot predict a time when the protests will come to an end," said Sadegh Zibakalam, an author and academic.

"But the protests will shake the people in power who must give priority to the people's demands and needs."

On Sunday, President Hassan Rouhani said Iranians have the right to protest but not violently.

"People are free to express their criticism and to protest," he said in televised remarks, his first since the rallies began.

"However, we need to pay attention to the manner of that criticism and protest. It should be in such a way that it will lead to the improvement of the people and state," he added.

"People have the right to protest, but those demonstrations should not make the public feel concerned about their lives and security."

Source: Agencies


risingbd/Jan 2, 2018/Mukul