Iran Judges Ordered Not to Go Soft on 'Main Elements of Riots'

The Islamic Republic of Iran’s judges has been issued orders by the judiciary chief against handing down soft sentences for people found to be the “main elements of riots" that flashed over the death of a 22-year-old Iranian Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini.

According to the judiciary’s Mizan Online website, Iran’s judiciary chief, Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, ordered judges to avoid issuing weak sentences for the main elements of these riots. 

On Wednesday, the judiciary charged more than 100 people over the “riots" in Tehran and the southern Hormozgan province of the country. The Iranian officials have described the protests as a plot by Iran’s foes.

Massive protests have erupted across the Islamic republic since Amini died on September 16 after her arrest by the Iranian morality police in Tehran, the capital of Iran, for allegedly violating the country’s strict dress code that requires women to fully cover their heads. Amini’s family and cousin said that she was assaulted at the detention center. However, a state coroner’s medical report said that Amini had died from pre-existing medical conditions. 

Anger flared at her funeral ceremony in Saqqez, her hometown, on September 17. Citizens continued their protests despite a crackdown that has killed many people. Iran also imposed a conditional ban on the internet due to anti-government protests.

Reportedly, the unrest has led to dozens of deaths, including protesters and members of the security forces. Hundreds of people have also been arrested. According to Iran’s Children’s Rights Protection Society, at least 28 children have also been killed in these anti-hijab and anti-government protests. 

The rights groups slammed Iranian security forces for using violence against children who protested in schools and on the streets. Human rights lawyer Hassan Raisi also said that “around 300 people between the ages of 12-13 and 18-19 are currently in police custody.”