DUBA, Sept 24 (Reuters) – Iran must deal decisively with the protests that erupted across the country following the death of Mahsa Amini at the hands of vice police, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said on Saturday.
According to state television, which has made its own count, at least 41 people have been killed this week during the demonstrations of unrest.
Demonstrations broke out in most of the country’s 31 provinces.
According to statements reported by state media, Ebrahim Raisi said that Iran must “manage in a determined manner those who oppose the security and tranquility of the country”.
The Iranian president stressed the need to make a difference “between demonstrations, disturbances of public order and security” and described the events of the week as “riots”.
The anger has not subsided since the death of Mahsa Amini, who fell into a coma while being detained with other women by the morality police.
Women played a leading role in the protests, waving and burning their veils.
Some cut their hair in public as angry protesters called for the downfall of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
According to the NGO Amnesty International, the demonstrators are facing a “murderous spiral from the security forces”.
The NGO is calling for an independent investigation by the United Nations. (Written by Dominic Evans, French version Matthieu Protard)