Iran Releases Figures on Protest Crackdown
World
Iran has, for the first time, released official figures on the number of people killed during the crackdown on nationwide protests, reporting 3,117 deaths. The figures were announced by the Ministry of Interior and the Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans and broadcast on state television.
According to the authorities, 2,427 of those killed were civilians and members of the security forces, while no detailed breakdown of the remaining casualties was provided. In the past, Iranian officials have either withheld such data or, critics say, underreported the true scale of losses.
Human rights groups strongly dispute the official numbers. The U.S.-based organization HRANA (Human Rights Activists) puts the death toll at at least 4,902, warning that the actual figure could be significantly higher. The group relies on a network of activists inside Iran and has long been regarded as a reliable source on protest-related violence.
Independent assessments were hampered by sweeping restrictions, including internet shutdowns, blocked international calls, and severe limits on journalists’ ability to report from the ground. State media repeatedly portrayed protesters as “rioters” allegedly backed by the United States and Israel, without presenting evidence.
Human rights activists estimate that nearly 26,500 people have been arrested. Statements by officials have fueled fears that some detainees could face execution, as Iran remains among the world’s leading countries in the use of the death penalty.
Although protests have subsided in recent days, observers warn that the death toll may rise as more information emerges. The scale of casualties already exceeds most previous waves of unrest in recent decades and recalls the turmoil surrounding Iran’s 1979 revolution.
Human rights groups strongly dispute the official numbers. The U.S.-based organization HRANA (Human Rights Activists) puts the death toll at at least 4,902, warning that the actual figure could be significantly higher. The group relies on a network of activists inside Iran and has long been regarded as a reliable source on protest-related violence.
Independent assessments were hampered by sweeping restrictions, including internet shutdowns, blocked international calls, and severe limits on journalists’ ability to report from the ground. State media repeatedly portrayed protesters as “rioters” allegedly backed by the United States and Israel, without presenting evidence.
Human rights activists estimate that nearly 26,500 people have been arrested. Statements by officials have fueled fears that some detainees could face execution, as Iran remains among the world’s leading countries in the use of the death penalty.
Although protests have subsided in recent days, observers warn that the death toll may rise as more information emerges. The scale of casualties already exceeds most previous waves of unrest in recent decades and recalls the turmoil surrounding Iran’s 1979 revolution.
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