Iran: Protests Reach City of Sanandaj

Potkin Azarmehr, Iran va Jahan:

Protests by the Iranian Kurds condemning the brutal murder of Shwane Ghaderi reached the Kurdistan province capital, Sanandaj. Hundreds of people gathered outside the Governer's office in a peaceful protest and carried placards demanding the trial of those responsible for Shwane's murder. READ MORE

Another gathering took place in Isteqlal(Taj) Park and soon after the gatherers poured into the surrounding streets, they started shouting slogans against the Islamic regime and in support of the political prisoners.

Once the crowd reached Ferdowsi bridge, the Law Enforcement Forces attacked the demonstrators who were attracting more and more support from the people. The demonstrators responded by setting a Special Unit vehicle on fire and smashing the windows of government buildings.

Law Enforcement Forces used tear gas to disperse the crowd, but the protests continued until the late hours when live rounds were used to break up the crowd.

In another violent protest in the city of Baneh two youths were reported killed.

On Saturday the people of Divandareh took to the streets in large numbers again demanding the trial of those who murdered Shwane. The Law Enforcement Forces refrained from shooting at the demonstrators but tried to contain the crowd by blocking all the nearby streets.

What has angered the people even more are the claims by the Mahabad governor who alleged the scar running from Shwane's abdomen upto his chest, shown in the photos of his mutilated body, was a result of the autopsy carried out on Shwane. Yet a video tape of a soldier who witnessed Shwane's murder and torture is circulating amongst the Kurdish population in which the witness states Shwane was cut up while still alive and the Islamic state security forces were even extinguishing their cigarettes in Shwane's wounds as they were cutting him up.

It is important to notice that the Kurds are supporting the dissidents in Tehran. It has been reported that the dissidents in Tehran are speaking to the international media about their support for the Kurdish unrest. The cooperation is natural and a further problem for the regime.