Nationwide protests in Iran continued into their eighth day. According to HRANA, the scope of unrest has expanded to 222 locations across 78 cities in 26 provinces, while the number of detainees has risen to around 1,000 and the number of protesters killed has increased to at least 19.
Based on updated and verified data from the human rights organization, despite heightened security measures, an increased presence of police and security forces, and the continuation of on-the-ground confrontations in some areas, the geographical spread of protests has remained wide, with diverse forms of protest continuing across the country. Over the past eight days, at least 222 locations in 78 cities across 26 provinces have witnessed protests. During this period, at least 990 citizens have been arrested, and between 19 and 20 protesters have lost their lives.
HRANA reports that during the past eight days, protests have taken the form of street demonstrations, labor strikes, and student activism across 17 universities nationwide. In the past 24 hours alone, more than 20 cities, including Shiraz, Zarqan, Qazvin, Yazd, Bandar Abbas, Birjand, Behbahan, Karaj, Sari, Tehran, Khorramabad, Shahroud, Hafshejan, Dorud, Marvdasht, Tabriz, Kermanshah, Yasuj, Mashhad, Lahijan, Neyshabur, and Bushehr, have witnessed various forms of protest or an intensified security presence. An examination of the geographical distribution shows that protests have not been limited to major metropolitan areas, but have also spread to smaller cities and different regions of the country—an indication of horizontal expansion and the participation of diverse social groups.
Security forces’ response and violence
HRANA stated that reports and videos from the eighth day of protests continue to indicate a heavy security atmosphere and the use of repressive measures by law enforcement and security forces. Published footage shows violent, gunfire, the use of tear gas, and the arrest of protesters. At the same time, state broadcaster IRIB aired a video of a forced confession by a citizen accused of setting a security officer on fire, with the circumstances under which the confession was recorded remaining unclear. HRANA also emphasized that official narratives regarding some of those killed contradict eyewitness accounts and unofficial reports, and that these cases are still under investigation and verification.
Deaths and injuries
According to HRANA’s latest figures, the deaths of at least 20 people during the eight days of protests have been confirmed, one of whom was affiliated with security or law enforcement forces. In addition, 51 cases of injury have been recorded, most of them caused by pellet and rubber bullets. In an update to previous reports, HRANA confirmed the deaths of Reza Azimzadeh, Mehdi Emami-Pour, Latif Karimi, Soroush Soleimani, Rasoul Kadiourian, Reza Kadiourian, Hossein Rabiei, and Amir Mohammad Kouhkan. The organization also reported the beating of Naser Rezaei Ahangarani, a lawyer, by security forces during protests in Khorramabad. The Kurdish news agency Kurdpa has also reported that at least 30 people were injured during protests in Malekshahi.
Arrests
According to HRANA, at least 990 protesting citizens have been arrested over the past eight days, though the organization notes that the real figure is likely higher. On the eighth day alone, mass arrests were reported in cities such as Yazd, Qazvin, Zanjan, Kermanshah, Isfahan, Shiraz, Behbahan, and Rezvanshahr. Reported cases include the arrest of 150 people in Isfahan and their transfer to the city’s prison, 24 people in Shiraz transferred to Adelabad Prison, 30 people in Kermanshah, and 30 people in Behbahan. HRANA adds that in many of these cases, the identities of detainees or their places of detention have not yet been officially disclosed.
