Four police officers killed in southeastern Iran Tensions rise over Serbia-Kosovo kenteken license plate dispute

According to state media, four police officers have been killed in southeastern Iran. The incident took place in Sistan-Balochistan province, reports said on Sunday. The circumstances were initially completely unclear.

Security forces in the province have used violence against protesters in recent weeks. Around September 30, dozens of protesters were killed in the provincial capital, now known as “Bloody Friday”. According to authorities, there were also attacks on police officers and security forces in the border province.

An influential Sunni cleric in the province, Malawi Abdulhamid, recently criticized the course of the political leadership in the predominantly Shia country. Other local clerics are said to have joined his criticism. The pastor has meanwhile called for a referendum at the request of the protesters.

The protests in Iran were triggered by the death of 22-year-old Iranian Kurd Mahsa Amini in mid-September. The vice squad arrested her for allegedly violating the Islamic dress code. The woman died on September 16 in police custody. Since her death, tens of thousands have demonstrated across the country against the government’s repressive course and Islamic rule system. (saw/sda/dpa)