Gatherings in Mashhad, Neyshabur, and Kashmar; Protesters chanted slogans against inflation
Reports from Mashhad, Neyshabur, and Kashmar indicate that rallies were held on Thursday to protest against inflation, Hassan Rouhani, and what demonstrators called “dictators.” According to some reports, tear gas was fired at demonstrators in Mashhad.
According to some Telegram channels that have published videos of these protests, the Mashhad rally was held following a call from Telegram groups in the city; however, the planning of these gatherings cannot yet be independently confirmed.
According to videos posted on some Telegram channels, including the "Spring Government" channel close to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, hundreds of participants gathered in front of the Mashhad municipality building in the city's Martyrs' Square, protesting against high prices and chanting slogans: "Death to the dictator," "Death to Rouhani," "You trampled on Islam, you humiliated the people," "Go, police, catch the thief," "No Gaza, no Lebanon, I will sacrifice my life for Iran," and "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid, we are all together."
The protesters in Neyshabur, who had taken to the streets, protested against high prices and unemployment, chanting slogans such as: "O young Iranians, rise up!", "The thief is looting, the government is supporting!", and "Leave Syria alone, think about us."
According to a film published on the Telegram channel of the Bahar government, which is close to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, a group marched in the city of Kashmar and chanted slogans against high prices.
The rally called "No to Price Increases" was held on Thursday in a situation where, according to ISNA news agency, the Mashhad governorship had announced on Wednesday, January 26, referring to the publication of "some rumors in cyberspace regarding Mashhad citizens gathering in response to the increase in the price of some goods," that "no organization, formation, or group has requested a rally, and no permit has been issued in this regard."
The public relations department of the deputy governor and governor of Mashhad had stated that "in order to prevent possible abuses by malicious elements," it was informing that "any possible action in this regard is illegal."
According to the Dolat Bahar Telegram channel, the Mashhad rally was held following a call from Telegram groups in the city.
Meanwhile, according to the state-run IRNA news agency, the General Directorate of Education of Khorasan Razavi announced on Wednesday that air pollution in the metropolis of Mashhad had increased and schools in the seven districts of Mashhad and Tabadkan were closed on Thursday.
Source: Radio Farda
