A witness recalled dozens of people being arrested in Saqez on Wednesday (Picture: Reuters/AFP)
Thousands of people poured into the streets of Mahsa (Jina) Amini’s town of Saqez, in Iran’s western Kurdistan region.
‘Woman, life, freedom’ and ‘Death to the dictator’, the crowd chanted at the Aichi cemetery where the 22-year-old is buried.
Iran’s security forces responded how they always have as part of their ongoing crackdown on the women-led protests – with violence and arrests.
An unnamed witness said: ‘The riot police shot mourners who gathered at the cemetery for Mahsa’s memorial ceremony… dozens have been arrested.’
Kurdish human rights group Hengaw later tweeted that mourners had later marched towards the provincial government’s office in Saqez.
They said security forces had opened fire on people in Zindan square.
Videos shared online show a miles-long convoy of bikes and cars, with some 10,000 peeople travelling to the burial site.
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An unveiled woman standing on top of a vehicle as thousands make their way towards the Aichi cemetery in Saqez (Picture: AFP)
Iran’s semi-official ISNA news agency confirmed clashes took place on Wednesday between security forces and people taking part in the memorial ceremony.
‘A limited number of those present at Mahsa Amini’s memorial clashed with police forces on the outskirts of Saqez and were dispersed,’ the agency reported.
‘Following the scattered clashes, internet in Saqez was cut off due to security considerations.’
Activists had called for protests across Iran to mark 40 days since Ms Amini died in police custody after being detained for ‘inappropriate attire’.
Mahsa Amini died after she was detained in Tehran (Picture: Reuters)
It was later reported that Iranian authorities opened fire on the crowd (Picture: Reuters)
There are still no reports about fatalities (Picture: Reuters)
She passed away in hospital on September 16, three days after her arrest by the notorious morality police while visiting Tehran with her younger brother.
Her family have since challenged a state investigation that blamed pre-existing conditions for her death.
Anger flared at the student’s funeral last month, with women ripping off their headscarves in solidarity.
Iran’s uprising is now in its sixth week despite mounting fatalities.
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Activists had called for protests across Iran to mark 40 days since Mahsa Amini died.
