The Chosun Daily – Iranian authorities have counted 3,117 deaths related to anti-government protests. This is the first official figure released since the protests began on the 28th of last month.
According to AFP and others on the 21st (local time), Iran’s state-run IRIB broadcast reported that among the 3,117 deaths announced that day, 2,427 were civilians and security personnel, describing them as “martyrs” and “innocent victims” under Islamic law.
Ali Akbar Velayati, secretary-general of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, told state broadcaster that “the approximately 690 individuals not included in the martyr list are terrorists, rioters, and those who attacked military facilities.” He added, “The high number of martyrs demonstrates the security forces’ restraint and tolerance.”
The number of deaths disclosed this time is lower than estimates by external organizations. The previous day, the U.S.-based human rights organization HRANA reported that a total of 4,519 people, including 4,251 protesters, had died by the 24th day of the protests, with only 197 of those being security personnel involved in the crackdown. Additionally, HRANA is verifying 9,049 more cases of death.
On the 19th, the Norway-based Iran Human Rights (IHR) group announced the suspension of its death toll count, stating that while 3,428 citizens participating in the protests had been confirmed dead, the actual number is believed to be much higher. Mahmoud Amiri-Moghaddam, a representative of IHR, told AFP, “Iran is well-known for underreporting the number of executions carried out through state violence,” and “All evidence obtained from Iran shows that the number of deaths during the protests is significantly higher.”
Earlier, the anti-regime media outlet Iran International estimated that 12,000 people had died, while U.S. CBS News reported that sources had suggested the death toll could reach up to 20,000.
Iranian authorities, after the protests spread nationwide, completely shut down internet and communication services within the country on the 8th and began a violent crackdown. Since the 12th, protests across Iran are largely believed to have subsided.
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