Large-scale demonstrations began in Tehran on December 28 to protest economic problems and soaring inflation.
The crackdown on nationwide protests in Iran has already claimed at least 538 lives, according to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), a non-governmental organization that monitors human rights violations in Iran. Another more than 10,600 people were detained during the demonstrations, TASR reports according to the AP agency.
- Protests in Iran claimed at least 538 lives.
- They detained more than 10,600 people during the demonstrations.
- The numbers were provided by the HRANA organization, citing activists.
- Iran blocks internet and phones, numbers cannot be verified.
- The demonstrations are a significant challenge to Iran’s theocratic leadership.
HRANA refers to activists working in Iran who are checking information on the number of victims and detained persons. According to the organization, there are fears that the numbers will increase.
The AP has not been able to independently verify these numbers, as internet and phone connections are currently blocked in Iran. The Iranian government has not released the total number of victims.
Large-scale demonstrations began in Tehran on December 28 to protest economic problems and soaring inflation, but quickly spread to other cities in the Islamic republic. They now pose one of the biggest challenges to the theocratic authorities that have ruled Iran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
