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"Our security is our distinctive privilege. The Iranian people
demand the harshest punishment for these barbaric rioters," said
Imam Mohammad Javad Haj Ali Akbari, a leader of prayers that are
held on Fridays in Tehran before a large gathering.
"The people want the death of Mahsa Amini to be cleared up ...
so that enemies cannot take advantage of this incident."
Amini, a 22-year-old from the Iranian Kurdish town of Saqez, was
arrested this month in Tehran for "unsuitable attire" by the
morality police who enforce the Islamic Republic's strict dress
code for women.
Her death has sparked the first big show of opposition on Iran's
streets since authorities crushed protests against a rise in
gasoline prices in 2019.
Amnesty International said in a statement on Friday that the
government crackdown on demonstrations has so far led to the
death of at least 52 people, with hundreds injured.
Amnesty said it had obtained a copy of an official document that
records that the General Headquarters of Armed Forces issued an
order to commanders in all provinces to “severely confront”
protesters described as “troublemakers and
anti-revolutionaries”.
Despite the growing death toll and a fierce crackdown by
authorities, videos posted on Twitter showed demonstrators
calling for the fall of the clerical establishment.
Amini's death and the crackdown has drawn international
criticism of Iran.
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said on Wednesday that the death
of Amini had "saddened" everyone in the Islamic Republic, but
warned that "chaos" would not be accepted amid spreading
protests.
(Writing by Michael Georgy; Editing by Frances Kerry)
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