HRANA – State media reported the arrest of additional protesters: 85 protesting citizens were detained in Zanjan Province, 12 in Tehran, and 43 in Yazd Province. At the same time, forced confessions by six of those detained in Tehran have been released, though it is unclear under what conditions they were recorded.

In a statement, the Zanjan Provincial Intelligence Department described these citizens as “leaders of the protests” and claimed that “firearms and incendiary materials” were discovered in their possession.

Meanwhile, the Young Journalists Club reported the arrest of 12 citizens in Tehran’s Sattarkhan district. This outlet has published a video containing confessions by six of these individuals, though it is not known under what circumstances the footage was obtained.

The Commander of the Law Enforcement Forces of Yazd Province also announced that 43 individuals described as the “main agents behind announcing and disseminating widespread calls on social media” were arrested during the protests by the FATA Police and the Intelligence Organization of the Yazd Provincial Law Enforcement Command.

These reports do not mention the identities of those arrested or their places of detention.

It is worth noting that gatherings and strikes by shopkeepers and bazaar merchants began in Tehran on Sunday, December 28, and after two days expanded beyond bazaars and commercial centers. With the participation of students, citizens, and various social groups, these protests have become one of the most widespread demonstrations of recent years. For more information, readers can refer to HRANA’s detailed report published last night on the thirty-third day since the start of the protests.