The clerical leadership under Ayatollah Khamenei, 83, has responded with a crackdown that, as well as killing dozens, has seen 1,000 people charged so far and according to activists risking the death penalty.
With the movement no signs of abating, the problems for the authorities are compounded by the tradition in Iran of holding a “chehelom” mourning ceremony 40 days after a death, meaning each new killing can fuel new protest actions.
Norway-based group, Iran Human Rights, said large numbers in the city of Karaj outside Tehran were Thursday attending a 40-day ceremony for Hadis Najafi, a 22-year-old woman activists say was killed by security forces in September.
IHR said police had blocked the highway leading to the cemetery to prevent even larger numbers attending.
“This year is the year of blood, Seyyed Ali (Khamenei) will be toppled,” the video showed them chanting.
AFP
