Iranian security forces fire on protestors, rights group claims

By Nathan Morley

An Iranian human rights group has claimed Iranian security forces have shot at protesters in two Kurdish cities.

Demonstrations have swept Iran since mid-September following the death of Mahsa Amini, a woman held in police custody for allegedly flouting strict laws that force women to cover their hair with a hijab.

Her family claim that she died as a result of police brutality. Authorities deny the accusation.

Now, the Iranian human rights group Hengaw has tweeted that security forces have been shooting at protesters in Sanandaj and Saqqez.

Hengaw also said riot police were using tear gas.

Rights groups say more than 150 people have been killed during protests since the death of Amini last month.

Earlier, France urged its citizens to leave the country for fear of being detained arbitrarily in Tehran’s crackdown on protesters. At the same time, the Dutch government has urged its nationals to leave Iran and advised against all travel to the country.

The warning came just hours after the European Parliament backed a resolution condemning the death of Amini.