Fury behind the veil
State-organised demonstrations to counter nationwide antigovernment protests triggered by the death of a woman in police custody started in several Iranian cities on Friday, with marchers calling for the execution of rioters.
Demonstrators condemned antigovernment protesters as “Israel’s soldiers”, live state TV coverage showed. The pro-government demonstrators also shouted “Death to America” and “Death to Israel”, common slogans the country’s clerical rulers use to try to stir up support for authorities.
“Offenders of the Koran must be executed,” the crowds chanted.
Iranians have staged mass demonstrations over the case of Mahsa Amini, who died last week after being arrested by the morality police for wearing “unsuitable attire”. Some women have publicly cut their hair and burnt their headscarves in defiance of the Iranian authorities.
Authorities said Amini had suffered a heart attack while staying in a “guidance centre ”— a type of reeducation centre where women are taught how to follow Iran’s rules on clothing.
Amini’s death has reignited anger over issues including restrictions on personal freedoms in Iran, strict dress codes for women and an economy reeling from sanctions.
The 22-year-old had travelled to Tehran with family from the northwestern Kurdistan province when she was detained for what the morality police deemed to be “immodest clothing” on September 13. The morality police use white vans with green stripes and are often stationed at places pedestrians frequent or where young people gather.
The officers enforce the country’s dress code by issuing a verbal warning, but some people are occasionally detained. Detainees are taken to a centre where they are “re-educated” on proper dress codes for hours. They are made to sign documents pledging not to repeat the offence. Family members are then called to pick them up.
A number of protesters have been killed after confrontations with security forces and progovernment militia.
Intelligence minister Mahmoud Alavi on Friday warned “seditionists” that their “dream of defeating religious values and the great achievements of the revolution will never be realised”, according to the AsrIran news website.
Iran’s clerical rulers fear a revival of the protests that erupted in 2019 over petrol price rises, the bloodiest in the Islamic republic’s history. About
1,500 people were killed.
In Madrid, four topless activists from the Femen women’s movement protested on Friday in front of the Iranian embassy over Amini’s death, carrying signs reading “Women, Life, Liberty” and “Mahsa Amini was assassinated”. The protest took place peacefully and there were no arrests. In Athens, protesters tried to approach the Iranian embassy on Thursday before being forced back by police wielding shields. Demonstrators chanted slogans and held placards reading “Homophobia and sexism kill”.
Protests over Amini’s death were also held in other countries.