By John Wesley Reid | January 13, 2020
Iranian security forces used live ammunition and teargas over the weekend to regulate protests of the recent shootdown of a Ukrainian airliner that killed all 176 onboard. The protests erupted when Iran denied and then claimed responsibility for the shootdown citing “human error” on their part.
Footage of the protests shows tense clashes with authorities, with one woman yelling, “They fired tear gas at people! Azadi Square. Death to the dictator!”
The video also includes citizens helping a woman who was reportedly shot in the leg with live ammunition by Iranian authorities.
“Oh my God, she’s bleeding nonstop!” one person shouts.
While this video and supporting reports have been verified by the Associated Press and local human rights groups, Tehran police chief Gen. Hossein Rahimi denies that his officers used such force on the protestors.
“Police treated people who had gathered with patience and tolerance,” Iranian media quoted Rahimi as saying. “Police did not shoot in the gatherings since broad-mindedness and restraint has been agenda of the police forces of the capital.”
These allegations of Iran using violence against its citizens is not unreasonable to believe, considering the hundreds of Iranian protestors killed last year during a wave of protests against their government.
This piece originally appeared in LifeZette and is used by permission.
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