’13-fold difference’ between official and unofficial death tolls in Iran protests
While Islamic Republic authorities have confirmed the deaths of only three protesters in demonstrations against the fuel price hike, reports from human rights organizations and videos published on social media indicate that at least 40 protesters have been killed in various Iranian cities.
Islamic Republic officials have confirmed the death of one person in Sirjan, one in Shahr-i Ray, and one in Islamshahr.
The Leader of the Islamic Republic stated without specifying the number of casualties that “several lost their lives and some facilities were damaged” in these protests.
Fars News Agency also reported that “casualties” in these protests were higher than in December protests. According to official statistics, at least 25 people were killed in the December protests.
In the absence of reliable statistics on casualties from Iran’s three-day protests, human rights activists have released figures several times higher than official counts.
According to the Kurdistan Human Rights Network, security forces stationed at the Javanrood court building opened fire on protesters on November 16, killing at least “four people” in the shooting.
The website identified two of the victims as “Kaveh Mahmoudi” and “Hamza Naghdhi.” The Kurdistan Human Rights Network also reported intense clashes between people and protesters in Kermanshah.
The human rights organization stated that a number of citizens were killed in these clashes, but the exact number is unknown.
Official Iranian bodies reported the death of a sergeant in the police force named Iraj Javaheri in Kermanshah.
The “Hengaw” human rights organization, however, reported that five people were killed in these clashes.
The organization reported that 14 protesters were killed in Javanrood.
According to the organization, one person was also killed in Sanandaj.
Based on this report, on the second day of protests in Boukan, at least “four people” were killed.
Adnan Hassanpour, a journalist from Mariwan, told Radio Farda in an interview that “six people” were killed on Saturday and between “one to four people” on Sunday.
He also stated that on Sunday a young man was shot in the head.
Mr. Hassanpour said that other cities such as Javanrood, Sanandaj, Kermanshah, and Boukan witnessed “extensive” protests with “high” death tolls.
The Kurdistan Human Rights Network also reported “seven people” killed in Mariwan and published images of some of them.
On Saturday, reports were also published about the death of “four people” in Behbahan.
Meanwhile, Karim Dahimi, a human rights activist, told Radio Farda in an interview that Mohammad Hossein Ghannati, Mehrdad Dashtizadeh, and Ehsan Abdollahnezad were killed in Behbahan.
He also stated that four people were killed in Khorramshahr and two in Ahvaz.
According to Mr. Dahimi, Meysam Adegipour, Khaled Manayyat and Ali Ghazalavi and Milad Hamidavi were killed in Khorramshahr.
He also said that Hamza Savari and Mohammad Reza Asafi were killed in Ahvaz and Ali Baghlani in Abadan. This human rights activist also stated that three people were killed in Kut Abdullah in Bavy County.
Images of Meysam Adegipour, Hamza Savari, and Ehsan Abdollahnezad have also been released.
On Saturday, videos were also released showing the deaths of several protesters.
Multiple videos from different sources showed that one person was killed as a result of direct fire by security personnel on Saveh Road. A video was also released showing one person killed in the Zeinabiyeh area of Isfahan.
It was also reported that one person was killed in Kermanshah.
Based on videos published on social media, on Saturday one protester against the fuel price increase was killed in Golshahr, Karaj. Images from another video show that one of the protesters in the Mahalati Abad neighborhood of Shiraz was also shot. Eyewitnesses say the shooting came from Goldasht police station in Shiraz.
Radio Farda is unable to confirm or deny these reports.
Some political activists in Sirjan have reported that another person was also killed in this city, but officials have not yet confirmed the report.
Minimum number of protesters killed in Iranian cities based on human rights organizations’ reports and released videos:
Javanrood 4 people
Mariwan 7 people
Boukan 4 people
Sanandaj 1 person
Kermanshah 6 people
Golshahr, Karaj 1 person
Shiraz 1 person
Isfahan 1 person
Sirjan 1 person
Shahr-i Ray 1 person
Behbahan 4 people
Ahvaz 2 people
Kut Abdullah, Bavy County 3 people
Khorramshahr 2 people
Abadan 1 person
Islamshahr 1 person
Source: Radio Farda
