TEHRAN, Iran — At least 35 have been killed in more than a week of protests that erupted in Iran after the death of a young woman in police custody, state media reported.
“The number of people who died in recent riots in the country has risen to 35 people,” the Borna news agency, which is affiliated to the sports ministry, said late Friday, citing state television.
The official toll had previously stood at 17 dead, including five security personnel.
However, according to the Oslo-based Iran Human Rights, at least 50 people have been killed by security forces in the anti-government protests.
Demonstrators have taken to the streets of major cities across Iran, including Tehran, for eight straight nights since the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish Iranian who had spent three days in a coma after being detained by in Tehran for wearing the hijab headscarf in an “improper” way. She was arrested by Iran’s morality police, a unit responsible for enforcing the Islamic Republic’s strict dress code for women.
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The street violence since her death has now spread to 80 towns and cities, Iran Human Rights said.
Verified footage spread on social media showed large crowds of protesters gathering in several neighborhoods of the capital Tehran after dark, just hours after the government-backed rallies dispersed.
Some were confronted by armed anti-riot police or militia.
The protests in Iran continue, this is from Tehran tonight.
"Hey hey ho ho Mollas got to go" [approximate translation] #IranProtests2022 pic.twitter.com/sKGRnVqql5— ERSHAD ALIJANI (@ErshadAlijani) September 23, 2022
Earlier Friday, thousands of people marched through Tehran during a pro-hijab rally, paying tribute to security forces who have moved to quell the protests by what media called “conspirators.”
Demonstrations in support of the security forces also took place in several cities across the country including Ahvaz, Isfahan, Qom and Tabriz.
Activists said she suffered a blow to the head in custody but this has not been confirmed by the Iranian authorities, who have opened an investigation.
On Friday night, Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi said Amini had not been beaten.
“Reports from oversight bodies were received, witnesses were interviewed, videos were reviewed, forensic opinions were obtained and it was found that there had been no beating,” Vahidi was quoted as saying by Iranian media.
A pro-government demonstrator holds a picture of the Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei at a rally after Friday prayers to condemn recent anti-government protests over the death of a young woman in police custody, in Tehran, Iran, September 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
The minister indicated said the government was investigating the cause of Amini’s death, adding “we must wait for the final opinion of the medical examiner, which takes time.”
Vahidi criticized “those who took irresponsible positions… incited violence and followed the United States, European countries and anti-revolutionary groups.”
Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.
