On Saturday, September 16, 2023, the nation observed the anniversary of the death of Mahsa (Jina) Amini, marked by scattered protest gatherings amidst an environment of heightened security, leading to the detention of several individuals across various cities in the country.
Reports obtained by HRANA reveal an extensive police presence and increased security measures in multiple urban centers, including Saqqez, Sanandaj, Tehran, Ardabil, Rasht, Arak, and Lahijan.
Despite these security measures, sporadic gatherings took place in cities such as Karaj and Kermanshah. In Tehran, attempts by some citizens to organize protest gatherings were met with intervention by security and military forces.
Local sources have reported that traders and shopkeepers in several Kurdish cities, including Sanandaj, Saqqez, Divandareh, Dehgolan, and Baneh, staged strikes by refraining from their daily activities. Additionally, residents of Saqqez received threatening text messages from the Ministry of Intelligence, warning of potential legal consequences if they participated in gatherings or rallies.
Several news outlets, including Dideban, have reported instances of gunfire being heard during the Kermanshah protest.
Furthermore, local human rights sources in the Kurdish region have documented an incident involving an individual named Fardin Jafari, who sustained injuries after entering a restricted area and subsequently being struck by gunfire from security forces. Shortly after this incident, Mehdi Ramezani, Deputy Governor of Kurdistan, confirmed the shooting but refuted reports of a fatality. He asserted that Saqqez remained entirely calm, with no gatherings or protests transpiring. Ramezani attributed the shooting of Fardin Jafari to his “entry into a restricted military area and disregard for warnings.” Jafari has since been hospitalized and underwent surgery due to the severity of his injuries.
Security forces also briefly detained and then released Amjad Amini, Mahsa Amini’s father after he left his home today.
Ramezani justified the brief detention of Amjad Amini by alleging that “several members of a ‘terrorist group’ had planned to ‘assassinate’ Amjad Amini on his way to visit his daughter’s burial site. Security forces intervened and apprehended them, foiling their sinister plot.” However, IRNA, the official news agency of the Islamic Republic, contradicted the Deputy Governor of Kurdistan by denying any short-term detention of Amjad Amini.
Ramezani also reported the detention of several individuals in various cities of Kurdistan Province on charges related to their alleged membership in anti-regime groups. He explained, “These individuals were detained early on Saturday as they filmed and photographed businesses and industrial facilities. Security forces identified and subsequently detained them.”
The Public Prosecutor of Ardabil also informed the media of the detention of two individuals in the city on charges of “actions against national security.”
Furthermore, an intelligence official affiliated with the IRGC issued a statement announcing the detention of several individuals in Marvdasht county. These individuals were apprehended for what the statement described as “widespread propaganda and inscribing protest slogans on city walls aimed at disturbing public opinion.”
The Public Prosecutor and Revolution Prosecutor of Qarchak county also reported the detention of one individual on the charge of “membership in anti-regime groups” in their jurisdiction, along with several other detentions across various counties in Tehran Province.
Meanwhile, the IRGC’s intelligence unit in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province reported the detention of fifteen individuals in this region, citing their alleged intention to incite insecurity.
HRANA has received reports indicating that, in commemoration of the anniversary of the protests, thirteen inmates in Qezal Hesar Prison in Karaj have embarked on a hunger strike.
Prior to this, Amir Hossein Moradi and Ali Younesi, incarcerated students, had publicly announced their intention to undertake a three-day hunger strike in solidarity with nationwide protests.
Additionally, on Saturday, some female inmates at Evin Women’s Ward ignited their scarves within the prison compound as a symbolic protest act.
Background on the 2022 Nationwide Protests
The arrest of Mahsa Amini by Tehran Morality Police for her improper hijab and her suspicious death on September 16 sparked protests sweeping across Iran. Protesters came to the streets with the central slogan “Women, Life, Freedom” in protest against the performance, laws, and structure of the regime. During the nationwide protests, thousands of people, including journalists, artists, lawyers, teachers, students, and civil rights activists, were arrested.
