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The means of communication are gradually being restored after the almost total cut last week, when demonstrations were held to protest the rise in fuel prices. The human rights organization Amnesty International estimates that the clashes have " at least 143 dead, " Tehran only recognizes five casualties. RFI was able to collect the testimony of a resident of the Iranian capital.
" In the center and in the north of Tehran, the streets were unusually empty, nothing to do with the usual traffic. In fact, many people were afraid to leave their homes, afraid of being stuck in a protest, "said this resident of Tehran about the days that followed the November 15, date of the beginning of unrest in Iran.
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This Iranian wants to remain anonymous, she did not participate in the demonstrations and can now testify because the internet and mobile phone networks are starting to work, at least in the capital. " My aunt who lives in the west of the city told me that at her home there was so much tear gas that they could not breathe normally in the apartment, " she says, also referring to the videos. of demonstrations and fires that his colleagues showed him.
" Everyone feels a mixture of anger, pain and disappointment. And yet, we must continue to live, "continues the Iranian woman, who says that" people are particularly angry at having been deprived of a basic right, thus being cut off from the outside world. Also angry at the propaganda of public television and all the media who have been adamant in their refusal to admit reality. Namely, people are poor, they are demolished and they can not cope anymore. "
On Monday, November 25, a major counter-demonstration was organized in Tehran in support of the Iranian leadership and to denounce what the power describes as " riots ". The Tehran resident told RFI that she received an unsigned message calling on her to attend the rally.
Killed, wounded and prisoners
The Iranian authorities have only recognized five deaths in unrest this November. The human rights organization speaks of " at least 143 " in " a terrible attack on human life ", fearing a " much heavier " record. The organization says it is continuing its investigation work. " We checked out a lot of videos of security forces shooting deliberately at protesters who were unarmed. In some cases even, while people were fleeing the police, "says Mansoureh Mills, Amnesty International, joined by RFI.
Iranian exiled in France for many years, the writer Javad Djavahery talks again with his relatives and contacts in Iran, although he finds that the connections are still very limited and unstable. " The images and messages are starting to arrive, we are beginning to measure the extent of the repression that the Iranians have suffered, " he said, relaying the interrogations of his sources on " an impressive number of arrests. We are worried about the fate of these people. Given the antecedents of power, one can fear the worst . In his progressively restored communications with Iran, Javad Djavahery notes " a degree of caution that I did not feel before. I find my contacts scared and suspicious about the confidentiality of their exchanges .
"Interference"
Iran's leaders believe that the demonstrations of recent days have been desired and encouraged by the United States. " We consider this an interference in Iran's internal affairs. US leaders are pursuing their hostile policy of maximum pressure , "Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi said Monday (November 25th), urging foreign countries to observe counter-demonstrations in favor of power. " This war is over. The coup de grace was carried, "said Revolutionary Guards Commander General Salami to the many pro-government protesters gathered in Tehran on Monday.
►To read also: Demonstrations in Iran: Hassan Rohani denounces "conspiracy" from abroad
In the United States, Donald Trump accused Tehran of cutting the internet so that the people " can not talk about the enormous violence that is happening in the country ." The United States announced a few days ago sanctions against the Iranian Minister of Telecommunications Mohammad Javad Azari Jahromi, for " his role in the vast censorship of the internet " in Iran.