After the violent suppression of the latest wave of protests in Iran, there are reports of a massive scale of violence. According to various media reports, which rely on estimates from human rights organizations and opposition groups, up to 18,000 people might have lost their lives during the unrest. These numbers are far above previous estimates and suggest a coordinated action by the security forces.
However, the Iranian judiciary strongly denies these accounts. A spokesperson for the judicial authorities stated that no death sentences related to the protests have been handed down so far. Official sources emphasize that the proceedings against arrested demonstrators are conducted according to the principles of the rule of law. Nevertheless, observers report a precarious human rights situation and massive repression against critics of the system.
International observers express concern about the lack of transparency from the Iranian authorities. While state bodies speak of a restoration of order, reports from abroad paint a picture of systematic persecution. The exact verification of the death tolls remains extremely difficult due to restricted press freedom and information control in the country.
