In the Iranian city of Saqqez, people commemorate Mahsa Amini, who died 40 days ago. Her hometown is again the scene of anti-regime demonstrations. Eyewitnesses report that security forces opened fire on the group gathered at the 22-year-old’s grave. Dozens of people are said to have been arrested.

Hundreds of protesters have taken to the streets in the northwestern city, the AP news agency reported. In Iran, it is customary to commemorate the dead on the fortieth day after their death. “Death to the dictator,” shouted the demonstrators. Eyewitnesses speak of a stream of people passing Amini’s grave. Protests are also taking place in the capital Tehran.

The demonstrations are part of a broader protest movement for more freedom that emerged after Amini’s death. The young Kurdish-Iranian woman died after being arrested by the vice squad. According to eyewitnesses, she was mistreated after her arrest, but the authorities deny this.

Additional measures

The Iranian regime is trying to quell the nationwide wave of protests, the largest anti-government movement in a decade. As a precaution, schools and universities in the predominantly Kurdish region in the northwest were closed today. Officially, this measure was taken to prevent the spread of the flu.

In Tehran, law enforcement has a massive presence on the streets. As far as we know, there have not yet been any clashes with demonstrators. According to reports, at least one group of young women is marching through the streets with slogans. They demand more freedoms, such as the abolition of the headscarf requirement.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei says the demonstrations are the work of foreign powers. The United States would foment unrest to overthrow the regime, Khamenei said.