Iran protests escalate marking 40 days since Mahsa Amini death
Tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets in Iran’s major cities – marking 40 days since Mahsa Amini died in police custody.
It’s one of the biggest nights of protests since anti-government demonstrations started six weeks ago.
Iran Human Rights which is based in Norway says at least 234 protesters, including 29 children have been killed by security forces in crackdowns so far.
Iran’s leaders have portrayed the unrest as “riots” caused by foreigners.
Footage has emerged online showing the widespread protests on Wednesday night.
In Tehran, fires were lit and chants including “Death to the dictator” rang out into the night.
Other cities also saw a resurgence in protesting the young woman’s death.
Mahsa Amini died in custody after being arrested for allegedly wearing her hijab “improperly.”
Many had gathered to mark the 40th day since her death. It is understood that officers fired live rounds and tear gas into the crowds.
It is not known how many casualties there are.
“The society is very angry. We had enough of them [Iranian leadership],”
A 27-year-old female protester in Karaj close to Tehran, told BBC Persian.
“I want to have the right to say no to these people. I’m tired of being a second-class citizen. Because I am a woman. Men are tired of the intimidation by the regime. This is the first time in the history of our country that we stand together for a goal which is woman, life and freedom.”
The protester in Karaj
Students trapped amid Iran protests clashes
Mahsa Amini death
Protesting started very quickly after the death of the 22-year-old woman – who died on 16 September.
It is understood that she had been detained three days earlier by the mortality police in Tehran and fell into a coma after collapsing at the detention centre.
Witnesses said officers beat her with a baton and banged her head against the vehicle, but police deny the allegations and instead say she had medical issues.
Her family have rejected the claim she died of a heart attack and that she had medical issues – saying she was healthy.
Independent media are banned from reporting from inside Iran, making state media and other reports hard to verify. The internet is heavily disrupted by authorities – hampering the ability for protesters to post online.