[At least 12 people have now been killed in anti-government protests in Iran and security forces have had to fight off "armed protestors" trying to take over police stations and military bases, reports in the country's state media suggest. ... The initial protests were over economic difficulties, rising food prices and alleged corruption among the elite, but there were also demands for the country’s unelected supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, to resign.
Videos posted on social media showed demonstrators chanting: “Mullahs, have some shame, leave the country alone.”] http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/12-people-killed-iran-protests-latest-updates-demonstrations-a8136391.html Iran protests: 12 killed amid demonstrations that saw attempts to storm police stations and military bases, state TV reports Reported death toll rises as tens of thousands of Iranians join protests Ben Kentish @BenKentish 8 hours ago Click to follow The Independent Online 0:13 / 0:42 Iran state media says 10 people have been killed during protests At least 12 people have now been killed in anti-government protests in Iran and security forces have had to fight off "armed protestors" trying to take over police stations and military bases, reports in the country's state media suggest. Authorities had previously confirmed four deaths but the total is now believed to have risen after tens of thousands of people joined the protests, which began last week. Two people were killed in clashes on Sunday night, adding to the two deaths confirmed on Saturday. Hundreds of people have been arrested in the demonstrations. READ MORE Iran blocks social media access amid anti-government protests State TV reported that some "armed protestors" had tried to storm security facilities. "Some armed protesters tried to take over some police stations and military bases but faced serious resistance from security forces", it said. As demonstrations continued, Hassan Rouhani, the Iran President, insisted people were "absolutely free to criticise" but said violence would not be tolerated. He said: “The government will show no tolerance for those who damage public properties, violate public order and create unrest in the society. “People are absolutely free to criticise the government and protest but their protests should be in such a way as to improve the situation in the country and their life.” “Criticism is different from violence and and damaging public properties." READ MORE Two 'shot dead by police' as anti-government protests continue in Iran Trump warns 'oppressive regimes cannot endure forever' Iranian hard liners rally in support of country’s supreme leader US warns Iran over response to protests: 'The world is watching' Authorities temporarily suspended access to Instagram and the messaging app Telegram, which has been used to start and publicise many of the demonstrations. The initial protests were over economic difficulties, rising food prices and alleged corruption among the elite, but there were also demands for the country’s unelected supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, to resign. Videos posted on social media showed demonstrators chanting: “Mullahs, have some shame, leave the country alone.” -- Peace Is Doable -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Green Youth Movement" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To post to this group, send an email to [email protected]. Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/greenyouth. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
