Activists Denounce Iran’s Islamic Revolution Anniversary in 4 European Capitals

VOA – Dozens of Iranian opposition activists have rallied in four European capitals since Sunday to protest the 40th anniversary of Iran’s Islamic Revolution and to demand the ouster of the nation’s Islamist rulers.

Video clips verified by VOA Persian showed the Iranian opposition activists holding protests in Athens and Stockholm on Monday, and in Berlin and London on Sunday. Monday marked the 40th anniversary of the rise to power of Shi’ite Islamist rulers who ousted Iran’s former monarchy.

Stockholm protest, Feb. 11, 2019

In a video sent to VOA Persian by an Iranian resident of Sweden’s capital, activists gathered in a Stockholm square chanted slogans calling for the “death” of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Athens protest, Feb. 11, 2019

Another clip sent to VOA Persian by an Iranian asylum-seeker in Athens showed protesters in front of the Greek capital’s Iranian embassy, chanting, “Iran, Yes. Mullahs, No. They are terrorists, they must go.”

Berlin protest, Feb. 10, 2019

Images shared on social media showed Iranian opposition activists also rallying near the Brandenburg Gate in Germany’s capital, Berlin. At one point, U.S. Ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell greeted participants in the rally, which took place adjacent to the U.S. embassy.

London protest, Feb. 10, 2019

In another video clip shared on social media, Iranian activists gathered in front of the Iranian embassy in the British capital, London, chanting for the “death” of Iran’s Islamist system and its Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

No major anti-government protests were reported Monday in Iran, where the nation’s Islamist rulers mobilized hundreds of thousands of people in Tehran and other cities to join rallies in support of the Islamic Revolution.

Iran saw frequent nationwide protests last year by smaller groups of citizens expressing anger toward local and national officials and business leaders whom they accused of mismanagement, corruption and oppression.

This article originated in VOA’s Persian Service.