A security agency: Demonstrations took place in 100 locations and a thousand people were arrested

Fars News Agency has published a report quoting a security agency about the extent of the recent protests in Iran over the increase in gasoline prices. According to the report, there were gatherings and demonstrations in 100 locations across Iran and more than 1,000 people have been arrested.

The report states: The total number of protesters and rioters since Friday night is estimated at 87,400, of which about 82,200 were men and 5,200 were women.

The Fars News Agency report claimed: "A significant portion of the protesters were only present at the gatherings and did not join the central core of the unrest. However, many of them were sent warning SMS messages by security agencies."

The report also claimed: "The manner in which the core of the violence operated indicates that these individuals were well-trained and, unlike many people who were surprised by the sudden increase in gasoline prices, they were alert and prepared for such a situation."

According to the Fars report, "Out of 1,080 cities and towns in the country, protests and large and small gatherings have taken place in 100 locations across the country, with the estimated population of these gatherings ranging from 50 to a maximum of 1,500 people. The volume of violence and the amount of destruction caused by rioters were more widespread and destructive than the gatherings in January 2017, and as a result, the casualties and financial losses have increased in comparison. The provinces of Khuzestan, Greater Tehran, Fars, and Kerman have suffered the most damage to public property."

The news agency wrote, "Accurate statistics on the number of deaths are not available, but most of the casualties were related to the attack by armed mobs on oil depots and military bases, which occurred during the prevention of oil depot explosions and the disarmament of military bases. A number of police and public forces were also martyred in these attacks."

According to the report, "So far, about 1,000 people have been arrested in the recent unrest across the country, and more than 100 banks and 57 large stores have been burned or looted in one province alone. For example, in one of the most tragic incidents last night in Tehran province, after a mob attacked a bank and set it on fire, the entire building and its upper floors, which were residential, caught fire, and some people were trapped on the roof of the building."

Source: DW