The death toll for the four days of Iran protests over gas price hike rose to at least 220. Though the number of reports and videos obtained from Iran are limited due to shut down of the internet, sources say the regime resorted to a deadly crackdown against protesters.
Latest reports coming from Iran indicate most protesters who were shot and killed by security forces have been shot in the head and chest. The regime is trying to hide the extent of its killings. In many cases, security forces have refused to hand over the bodies of the protesters to their families. They are instead buried in unknown locations.
At least 3,000 protesters were injured.
More than 1,000 people have been arrested, according to the state-run Fars news agency.
On Friday evening, November 15, the State Security Force opened fire on a demonstration by the people of Sirjan (south central Iran), killing Javad Nazari Fath abad, 37, and wounding many others. The regime forces shot Mr. Nazari in the head at the Naft (Oil) Square, outside the city’s oil depot, killing him instantly.
Picture of Ruhollah Nazari-Fat’h-abad, a 37 year-old protester who was shot and killed last night in Sirjan, in the SE province of Kerman, #Iran #IranProtests
May his soul rest in peace. 🌹https://t.co/UmwOQx5RPd pic.twitter.com/eqqNivXBut— IRAN HRM (@IranHrm) November 16, 2019
Mehdi Nikuie Ali Abadi, 20, from Fars Province, south-central Iran, was killed Sunday, November 17, by the state security forces in Moaliabad district of Shiraz. His parents have been told that they are not allowed to mourn his death.
Mehdi Nikuie Ali Abadi, 20, from Fars Province, south-central #Iran, was killed yesterday by the state security forces in Moaliabad district of Shiraz. His parents have been told that they're not allowed to mourn his death. #IranProtests pic.twitter.com/Yu4m8KuL1n
— IRAN HRM (@IranHrm) November 18, 2019
Farzad Ansari is another protester targeted and killed by security forces in Behbahan, southwest Iran during the protests. He was laid to rest at his hometown on Tuesday.
Farzad Ansari was targeted and killed by security forces in Behbahan, SW #Iran during #IranProtests He was laid to rest at his hometown today. RIP 🌹 pic.twitter.com/ReEDbzxMqN
— IRAN HRM (@IranHrm) November 19, 2019
31-year-old Mehdi Papi was targeted and killed Sunday night by security forces in Fardis, Karaj, near Tehran.
31 year old Mehdi Papi was killed last night by security forces in Fardis, west of #Tehran during #IranProtests
Reports indicate at least 200 protesters were killed, many more were injured.
The @UN must intervene to stop the bloodbath in #Iran@StateDept @USUN @GermanyDiplo pic.twitter.com/kWBFyf4EiH— IRAN HRM (@IranHrm) November 18, 2019
Three women were among those killed during the nationwide protests in Iran.
On Saturday, November 16, 2019, a 50-year-old woman by the name of Mina Sheikhi, was shot dead during the protests in Tehran. Security forces have refused to hand over the body of Mina Sheikhi who was originally from Saqqez, in the Iranian Kurdistan.
Mina Sheikhi, 59, was shot dead on Nov 16 during the #IranProtests in #Tehran
Security forces have refused to hand over her body to her family. She was originally from Saqqez, in the Iranian Kurdistan. pic.twitter.com/4EdZqJib4Z— IRAN HRM (@IranHrm) November 18, 2019
On Sunday, November 17, 2019, armed forces in the city of Boukan, in the Iranian Kurdistan, opened fire on protesters. A young woman by the name of Shelir Dadvand, was killed during this attack.
Also, on Saturday, November 16, 2019, a middle-age woman was shot at point blank range and killed by anti-riot forces. A video clip of the final moments of this woman has been posted on the internet and social media.
Markazi province – A woman, shot by security forces in Saveh during #IranProtests on Nov 17
Protesters are saying she's not breathing.
At least 61 protesters have been killed by security forces in 10 cities in #Iran. Many more have been injured. https://t.co/9Id85tGZ4r— IRAN HRM (@IranHrm) November 18, 2019
Iran protests broke out over the weekend after authorities abruptly announced a hike in petrol prices at midnight on Friday.
Many videos shared on social media show strong response by security forces against protesters.
Shiraz – #Iran
IRGC Helicopter shooting unarmed protesters
At least 61 people have been killed by security forces in 10 cities. Many more have been injured. The numbers could be far higher. #IranProtests pic.twitter.com/fC6rX71HUk— IRAN HRM (@IranHrm) November 18, 2019
In a bid to conceal the extent of its crackdown, and to cut off Iranians from each other and the rest of the world the regime has imposed an almost complete nationwide internet blackout since Sunday.
Several Iranian officials vowed to crack down on protests after the regime’s Supreme Leaded weighed in Sunday, calling protesters “hooligans” and demanding “decisive” clampdown.
He acknowledged that Iranians had taken to the streets to protest and that some had died. But he blamed Iran protests on monarchists and opposition groups trying to destabilize Iran.
Khamenei acknowledged the death of protesters in his comments.
