People light a fire during a protest over the death of Mahsa Amini, a woman who died after being arrested by the Islamic republic’s “morality police”, in Tehran, Iran September 21, 2022. Photo: Reuters
The United Nations estimates that more than 300 people have died as a result of the crackdown on anti-government protests in Iran.
On the other hand, President Ebrahim Raisi on Saturday praised the Islamic Republic of Iran as a protector of rights and freedoms.
Mr Raisi was defending the current political order.
According to Reuters, a top state security body confirms that 200 people, including members of the security forces, had lost their lives in the unrest, a figure significantly lower than that given by the world body and rights groups.
Now in their third month, the protests were ignited by the death of 22-year-old Kurdish woman, Mahsa Amini in the custody of morality police enforcing strict mandatory hijab rules.
The demonstrations have turned into a popular revolt by furious Iranians from all stratas of society, posing one of the boldest challenges to the clerical leadership since the 1979 revolution.
Not weakened by the brutal crackdown, protesters have raised slogans against Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and repeatedly demanded an end to the Islamic government.
Writing by Muzha Kucha; Editing by Tony Okerafor