Death toll in Iran's unrest rises, human rights group says

The death toll from ongoing unrest in Iran continues to rise, according to a US-based human rights group.

Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) says it has confirmed at least 572 deaths since protests began, though it cautions that the true number may be significantly higher. The organisation’s figures have been widely regarded as reliable during previous periods of unrest in Iran. HRANA relies on a network of supporters inside the country to collect and verify information, Caliber.Az reports via Sky News.

Of those confirmed dead, the group reports that 503 were protesters, while 69 were members of the security forces.

HRANA also says more than 10,600 people have been detained as demonstrations enter their third week.

Sky News has independently verified protests taking place in at least 21 of Iran’s provinces. HRANA reports that nearly 600 separate protests have occurred across all 31 provinces, underscoring the nationwide scale of the unrest.

By Sabina Mammadli