Despite shutting down the internet and other cover-up efforts, Iran’s regime is well known for its brutality. In the past two weeks, the regime has killed 161 protesters while suppressing the demonstrations of the Iranian people.
Less well known is what happens after the regime’s thugs murder a citizen. Amnesty International reports that not only has the government refused to return some victims’ bodies to their families, government “security forces” have removed dead bodies from morgues and transferred them to unknown locations.
And the rights group reports that some families of the deceased are being billed for the bullets used to kill their loved ones.
“There are shocking reports that, when the authorities have returned victims’ bodies to their families, they have demanded payment citing several reasons, including the cost of the bullet that killed their loved one or compensation for property destroyed during the protests,” Amnesty International said in a November 29 statement.
Since 15 November #Iran‘s security forces have brutally killed 161 protesters. Their human stories are now emerging. We remember them & will continue to seek justice for them & their families. pic.twitter.com/SnprPcaKcp
— Amnesty International (@amnesty) November 29, 2019
One Iranian official has denied the allegation. But Amnesty says Iran’s regime has a history of harassing the families of its victims that it is continuing in the current crackdown.
“In a pattern consistent with previous protester killings, the authorities have threatened victims’ families with arrest if they hold funerals for their loved ones or to speak to media,” Amnesty said.
“The Iranian people are, once again, on the streets because of the regime’s poor economic management,” U.S. Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo told reporters November 26. “And instead of addressing their grievances, Tehran has responded with violence and by blaming those outside of the country.”
“We will continue to sanction Iranian officials who are responsible for these human rights abuses,” Pompeo added.
