Most of Those Killed in Recent Riots Were Not Even Present in Protests: Iran’s Shamkhani


Most of Those Killed in Recent Riots Were Not Even Present in Protests: Iran’s Shamkhani

TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Shamkhani said the majority of those killed in last month’s protests in Tehran province over gasoline price hikes were not even involved in any of the protests.

Speaking Thursday in a meeting with families of some of the victims of the riots in western cities of the province, Shamkhani said more than 85 percent of those killed in the province’s cities had not taken part in any of the demonstrations.

They were suspiciously targeted and killed by Melee weapons and firearms that are not in service in the armed forces and security forces, he said, suggesting that there certainly was a plot hatched by those opposed to the establishment to kill people during the unrest and pin the blame on the police and security forces.

Shamkhani further referred to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei’s call for compensation for those who were killed or sustained damage or injuries during the riots, and underlined the need for pursuing the issue promptly and based on a good and coordinated plan.

In mid-November, the Iranian government raised gasoline prices in order to moderate the national consumption rate.

The move prompted protests in a number of cities that went largely peaceful but turned violent when armed riotous elements took advantage of the situation to vandalize public and state property, and attack civilians and security forces alike.

Shortly after the riots broke out, the Leader tasked the SNSC with compiling a report detailing the reasons behind the riots and immediate attending of the families of victims.

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