TEHRAN – Iran blocked internet access for “security reasons” in Saqez, the hometown of Mahsa Amini today, at the end of a 40-day mourning period following her death, local media reported.
Street violence has rocked Iran since Amini’s death on September 16, three days after she was arrested by the morality police for allegedly violating the Islamic republic’s strict dress code for women.
Dozens of people, mainly protesters but also members of the security forces, have been killed during the unrest. Hundreds more, including women, have been arrested.
“Following the tensions and scattered confrontations that occurred after the ceremony, the internet connection was cut in the town of Saqez for security reasons,” ISNA news agency said.
ISNA said “nearly 10,000 people, including residents of Saqez, but also from surrounding towns, went to” Amini’s grave today.
“A part of the crowd was ready for a confrontation” with the police, and one of them raised the flag of Iraqi Kurdistan,” the news agency said.
The situation was a “little tense” in the city after the crowd returned from the cemetery, but there was no confrontation in the afternoon, it added.
“Some people intended to attack an army base”, said ISNA, adding that they were dispersed by other participants.
The report came after the judiciary said it has pressed charges against over 300 people in connection with the nationwide protests over Amini’s death, bringing the total to more than 1,000. – AFP, October 26, 2022
