At least 304 people have been killed in Iran in the crackdown on protests that hit the country between November 15 and 18, according to a new report, released on Monday December 16 by Amnesty International.

"Iranian authorities continue fierce crackdown after nationwide protests on November 15, arresting thousands of protesters as well as journalists, human rights defenders and students to prevent them from saying what they think of this ruthless repression, "accuses the human rights NGO in a press release.

Amnesty says it has revised up its latest toll of the unrest published on December 2 (at least 208 dead) to "at least 304 people (...) killed" by "the use of lethal force" in the repression of the protest, including at least two adolescents, aged 15 and 17.

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"Large-scale repression"

The NGO said it had collected "the trying testimonies of witnesses" suggesting that "the Iranian authorities, almost immediately after massacring hundreds of people (...) implemented a large-scale repression designed to inspire everyone to afraid to speak openly about what happened. "

The dispute had erupted on November 15 as soon as a sharp rise in the price of gasoline was announced, in the midst of an economic crisis, and had affected a hundred cities. Authorities said they had brought the order down within a few days. This came at the cost of "horrible killing," Amnesty denounced in early December.

Authorities have so far confirmed only five deaths: four law enforcement personnel killed by "rioters" and one civilian. Announced in early December by the government, the publication of an official balance sheet based on figures from the national forensic institute is still pending.

"Roundups across the country"

Amnesty says it has received information from several independent sources that, one month after popular unrest began, "security forces continue to conduct roundups across the country to arrest people at their homes and workplaces."

Its press release mentions the plight of 15-year-old adolescents "detained with adults" and "severely overcrowded" detention centers, "enforced disappearances" and dozens of "incommunicado detentions".

The NGO calls on Tehran "to release immediately and unconditionally all those who are arbitrarily detained" and urges the international community to put pressure "without delay" on Iran, failing which "thousands (of detainees) will remain threatened with torture or ill-treatment. "

With AFP

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