Iran’s Foreign Minister Claims Images of Violence Against Women in Iran Are Fabricated
Iran’s Foreign Minister claimed in an interview that “complete democracy” exists in Iran and that some images of police violence against women in the country are “fabricated.”
Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, in a conversation with Al-Monitor news agency, as the only minister in Ibrahim Raisi’s government to face questions about state violence against protesters, particularly women, following Mahsa Amini’s death in police custody which led to widespread protests, stated his position on the matter.
When asked if he accepts that “for people outside Iran, seeing such photos, seeing women being beaten is distressing,” he said: “Some of these photos are fabricated. You must understand that their [police forces’] reaction is to rioters.”
He added: “What happened on the first day of protests was the feelings and emotions of the people… but now all satellite networks and internet networks are encouraging people to come to the streets, create chaos, and change the government.”
Iran’s Foreign Minister also claimed regarding protesters who have been killed on the streets that “these people were not killed by security forces. Many of them were killed by rioters.”
His statements came despite numerous videos of direct fire by security forces and special guards against protesters and their severe beatings being circulated on social media.
Amir-Abdollahian suggested to Al-Monitor’s reporter that “you should travel to Iran to see what is happening on the streets of Tehran; freedom of expression, freedom of action of people, and also [freedom of] hijab.”
He added: “There is complete democracy in Iran. You should see it yourself.”
These claims come despite the publication of countless images and videos of violence by Guidance Patrol officers enforcing mandatory hijab, including beatings of women, the use of animal control poles to detain them, and complete disregard for the physical and psychological condition of detainees.
Iran’s Foreign Minister meanwhile claimed that all branches and authorities in Iran are working to “determine the truth” about Mahsa Amini’s death, but the United States is exploiting the “pure feelings” of the Iranian people.
He attempted to portray the Islamic Republic as seeking the truth while the Medical Examiner, as one of the official state institutions, contradicted statements by Mahsa Amini’s family, denying any beatings and attributing her death to an “underlying disease” of the young woman.
Mahsa Amini, who had traveled from Saqez to Tehran with her family to visit relatives, suffered brain death hours after being detained by Guidance Patrol officers and died three days later.
Eye witnesses in conversations with her family reported severe beatings, and several independent doctors confirmed this after reviewing her medical images.
This comes as several parliament members and other officials strongly deny these claims.
Following Mahsa’s death due to police violence, various cities across Iran have witnessed widespread protests; the government’s response to these protests has only been violence so far.
Source: Radio Farda
