Security forces intensify crackdown as protests sweep across Iran

Iran-HRM – Security forces intensify crackdown as protests sweep across Iran

Saturday, October 8, 2022, as anti-government protests swept across the country, the Iranian security forces used brute force to crush the protests.

There have been verified reports of young men and women deliberately shot and killed at close range by security forces and plainclothes agents. At the same time, security forces brutalized women on the streets.

Internet disruptions made it very difficult for citizens to share the news, in which many faced severe state brutality.

State security forces used tear gas in reaction to protests. One video scene made it clear tear gas was deliberately shot inside a local bazaar area in Tehran. The main gate was closed on the people, who told security squads at the entrance to let them go. But the squads ignored the call and aimed to suffocate the trapped people.

A young woman in Mashhad fell dead to the ground as she was shot in the neck. Witnesses believe she was targeted by snippers.

In the same province, a brave woman was herded to an empty corner surrounded by at least four fully geared riot police. She refused to leave the scene and was viciously whipped by a baton. People at the scene shouted at the state forces to let her go.

A gang of security forces were manhandling a young pregnant woman in Rafsanjan, to drag her away to a security vehicle despite her husband’s pleas for her to be released.

In Sa’adat Abad district in Tehran a young man was pushed to a corner with a gun pointed at him. The security officer shot him directly in the head at close range. His present condition is not yet known but he ran towards other people close by seeking help. Nevertheless, the officer kept on shooting at near distance.

One very disturbing scene happened in Sanandaj. A snap-taxi driver, Daryoush Alizadeh, had honked his horn in support of the protests. The passing security police shot him dead inside his car. The crowded people were shocked and furious at the scene calling the regime responsible for the crime.

Young snap-taxi driver in #Iran, Daryoush Alizadeh, shot by armed security forces in #Sanandaj today Oct. 8, 2022 for simply sounding his car horn (to support protests) in his hometown pic.twitter.com/bfcA378x6r— IRAN HRM (@IranHrm) October 8, 2022

The state forces also used ice-cream vans belonging to the popular Mihan company, to translocate more armed men to quell the protests in Tehran.

Social media users shared footage of disguised police officers who stroll alongside demonstrators to easily shoot or arrest anyone in reach.

In almost every video from the widespread protesting cities, gunshots were heard, and tear gas smokes were evident.