Iran protests sparked by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini have been going on in Iran for more than six weeks. The Kurd died in police custody on September 16.
The IRNA news agency reported today that the spiritual head of a Shiite mosque was shot dead in the city of Sahedan. “A special unit has been formed to identify and arrest the perpetrators,” said Sistan-Baluchistan Province Police Commander Ahmad Taheri.
Amnesty: At least 66 people killed in one day
One of the most serious clashes between security forces and demonstrators in recent weeks has taken place in Sahedan. According to the human rights organization Amnesty International, security forces killed at least 66 people there on September 30. Sahedan is dominated by Sunnis, but in Iran Shiites make up the overwhelming majority of the population.
A high-ranking Sunni cleric had criticized the crackdown on demonstrators, saying that state officials and Iran’s spiritual leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, would have to answer before God.
Iran Protests challenge spiritual leadership
Mass protests sparked by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini have been going on in Iran for more than six weeks. The Kurd died in police custody on September 16. The vice squad arrested her for allegedly dressing inappropriately.
The protests have since grown into the greatest challenge to spiritual leadership since 1979. At that time, the Shah was overthrown in the course of the Islamic Revolution and the Islamic Republic was proclaimed.
