In Iran, security forces are drawn to city streets ahead of protests on the anniversary of the murder of Mahsa Amini

In Iran, armed security forces have been deployed to the streets of major cities, where protests are expected on the anniversary of the death of 22-year-old Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini on September 16, 2022, after being beaten by the “morality police” for wearing the hijab “incorrectly.” The security forces also detained Amini's father, who had previously been repeatedly summoned for questioning.

As Iran International notes, the “security forces” have mostly been concentrated in “turbulent areas” of large cities, in particular cities with a Kurdish majority. The largest number of security forces is in Saqqez, Amini’s hometown, as well as Marivan, Bukan and Sanandaj. Here, security vehicles are parked in the main squares, and helicopters of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps are circling over the city.

The publication also reports on the strengthening of armed security forces in the megacities of Tehran and Tabriz, where large demonstrations are expected. In particular, in Tehran the roads to the graves of those killed during last year's protests were blocked, allegedly to prevent the commemorative events from escalating into an anti-government action.

Human Rights Watch notes that on the eve of the anniversary of Amini's murder, Iranian authorities also increased pressure on the families of those killed or executed during the protests, and professors, students, and workers of a number of organizations “warned” against supporting the protests. In addition, in this week alone, from September 11 to 16, about 30 activists were arrested, some of whom went on hunger strikes in support of the expected protests.

On July 16, it also became known that Iran had returned the “morality police” to the streets of cities, responsible for observing the norms of religion and morality. Previously, it was removed from the streets as a result of massive anti-government protests.

Context

• according to Iran Between September 2022 and September 2023, authorities executed at least 697 people, including seven anti-government protesters, Human Rights. This is 36% more than in the same period of the previous year. Another 82 people are now facing imprisonment or the death penalty, ten have already been sentenced to it.

• Since the protests began, Iranian police have killed about 600 protesters and tens of thousands have been arrested.