New York: As the protests ignited by the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody entered their fourth week, a human rights group said that at least 185 people, including at least 19 children, had been killed in demonstrations.
Anti-hijab protests that began on September 17 at the funeral of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in her Kurdish town of Saqez, have turned into the biggest challenge to Iran’s clerical leaders in years, with protesters calling for the downfall of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
“At least 185 people, including at least 19 children, have been killed in the nationwide protests across Iran. The highest number of killings occurred in Sistan and Baluchistan province with half the recorded number,” the Norway-based Iran Human Rights said.
Videos shared on social media showed protests in dozens of cities across Iran early on Sunday with hundreds of high school girls and university students participating despite the use of tear gas, clubs, and in many cases live ammunition by the security forces, rights groups said.
However, the Iranian authorities have denied that live bullets have been used.
Meanwhile, security forces in the country arrested several school children inside school premises, reported the Guardian. The Iranian authorities also shut down all schools and educational institutions in Kurdistan.
