Iran judiciary rejects 12,000 death toll in protest crackdown

Iran’s judiciary spokesperson, Asghar Jahangir, called a report by Iran International claiming 12,000 deaths in the recent protest crackdown “completely false” and denied that families are being charged to receive the bodies of victims. 

Jahangir described the death toll figure as a fabrication spread by the media he labelled anti-Islamic Republic, Caliber.Az reports via Iranian media.

He maintained that any deaths that occurred were the responsibility of those he accused of instigating unrest. Jahangir also refuted claims that families pay for bodies, stating that forensic services are provided at no cost.

For nearly three weeks, massive protests have gripped Iran, with many calling them the biggest in the past decade. The unrest started after a steep decline in the national currency’s value and quickly grew into political demonstrations calling for the government’s ouster. Several foreign embassies have advised their citizens to leave the country.

Reports suggest the current crackdown in Iran has caused extremely high casualties, with medical officials across the country estimating the death toll at least 12,000 and possibly as high as 20,000, while Iran International claims 12,000 deaths.

Thousands of protesters have been detained, and verified numbers remain uncertain due to ongoing internet blackouts and information restrictions.

By Jeyhun Aghazada