Iranian security forces briefly detained Mahsa Amini’s father on Saturday and increased their presence in predominantly Kurdish areas of the country. This comes a year after Mahsa Amini’s death in police custody sparked major protests, reminiscent of those seen after the fall of the Shah in 1979.
State-affiliated media reported the arrests of several “counter revolutionaries” and “terrorists” in different Iranian cities. They also claimed that security forces had thwarted plots to disrupt illegal demonstrations.
The death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish woman who was arrested by the morality police for allegedly violating dress codes, led to months of widespread protests against the Shi’ite clerical rule of the Islamic Republic. The incident received international condemnation.
On the anniversary of her death, human rights groups reported a significant deployment of security forces in Iran’s Kurdish areas in anticipation of potential unrest.
Despite these measures, social media footage showed apparent protests in areas such as Gohardasht and Mashhad. One video depicted demonstrators in Gohardasht chanting slogans while drivers honked their horns in support. The authenticity of the video could not be immediately verified by RushHourDaily.
Amjad Amini, Mahsa’s father, was warned against commemorating his daughter’s death but was later released, according to the Kurdistan Human Rights Network. Iran’s official IRNA news agency denied that Amjad Amini was arrested but did not clarify whether he was briefly detained or warned.
Earlier reports indicated that security forces had surrounded Amini’s home in Saqez, western Iran.
In a statement, U.S. President Joe Biden acknowledged that Mahsa’s story had sparked a historic movement called “Woman, Life, Freedom,” which has had an impact both in Iran and globally.
In response to the protests, Britain imposed sanctions on four Iranian officials, while the United States announced sanctions on over two dozen individuals and entities connected to Iran’s suppression of the demonstrations.
Amini’s parents had previously stated that they would hold a traditional and religious ceremony at their daughter’s grave in Saqez, despite government warnings.
Strikes were reported in various cities in Iran’s Kurdistan region.
However, IRNA claimed that Amini’s hometown of Saqez remained “completely quiet” and that calls for strikes in Kurdish areas had failed due to the vigilance of the people and the presence of security forces.
According to an official in the Kurdistan province, several individuals affiliated with counter-revolutionary groups were arrested for planning to create chaos and generate media attention.
During the protests following Mahsa Amini’s death, more than 500 people, including 71 minors, were killed, hundreds were injured, and thousands were arrested. Iran also carried out seven executions related to the unrest.
Amnesty International recently reported that Iranian authorities have been subjecting victims’ families to arbitrary arrests and detentions, imposing restrictions on peaceful gatherings at grave sites, and destroying victims’ gravestones.
In recent weeks, numerous journalists, lawyers, activists, students, academics, artists, public figures, and ethnic minority members, as well as relatives of protesters killed during the unrest, have been arrested, summoned, threatened, or fired from their jobs, according to Iranian and Western human rights groups.
In August, Iran’s Etemad daily reported that the lawyer representing Amini’s family is facing charges of “propaganda against the system.” If convicted, Saleh Nikbakht could face a prison sentence of one to three years.
The article concludes with the editing credits and a mention of Thomson RushHourDaily’ Trust Principles.
