52 People Arrested in Protest Gathering in Mashhad

Hassan Heydari, the head of the Revolutionary Court in Mashhad, stated on Thursday, December 28, that 52 individuals were arrested during a protest gathering in the city. According to reports from media and social networks, cities including Mashhad, Nishapur, Kashmar, and Shahroud witnessed protests titled 'No to Inflation' on Thursday. Based on some videos shared on social media, the protest in Mashhad turned violent following the response of security forces, who used water cannons and tear gas to disperse the demonstrators. According to Fars News Agency, Hassan Heydari mentioned regarding the protest in Mashhad: 'This morning, a gathering took place in Shohada Square in Mashhad, where some disruptive individuals shouted harsh slogans, and they were dealt with.' The head of the Revolutionary Court in Mashhad noted that 52 people were arrested during the protest on Thursday, stating: 'The law will not tolerate individuals who seek to exploit social conditions to create disturbances for other citizens and disrupt security.' Some reports circulating on social media indicate that several individuals were injured during the protest in Mashhad, but no confirmed reports of injuries have been published so far. According to ISNA, Mohammad Rahim Noorouziyan, the governor of Mashhad, also commented on the protest, saying: 'This gathering was illegal; however, the police treated the protesters with great restraint.' Based on videos shared on some Telegram channels, hundreds of participants gathered in front of the Mashhad municipality building in Shohada Square, protesting against inflation and chanting slogans such as: 'Death to the Dictator' and 'Death to Rouhani.' Other slogans included 'You have made Islam a stepping stone, and the people miserable,' 'Rest in peace, Reza Shah,' 'What a mistake I made by revolting,' 'Police, go catch the thief,' 'Neither Gaza nor Lebanon, my life is for Iran,' and 'Don't be afraid, don't be afraid, we are all together.' Reports indicate that a protest against inflation also took place in Nishapur on Thursday. Saeed Shibani, the deputy governor and mayor of Nishapur, told ISNA that this protest was held despite warnings from government officials. The mayor of Nishapur stated: 'This protest, as announced the day before, was unauthorized, and we informed citizens that the gathering called for on social media was illegal and had no permit, yet it took place.' The mayor of Nishapur mentioned that no one was arrested during the protest in this city. Videos circulating on social media indicate that protesters in Nishapur chanted slogans against inflation and unemployment, saying: 'Think of us, leave Syria alone,' 'Rise up, Iranian youth,' and 'Thieves are looting, the government is supporting them.' These protests occurred amid recent criticism directed at Iranian President Hassan Rouhani by opponents and critics due to rising prices of goods and consumer products. Meanwhile, Mahmoud Sadeghi, a representative from Tehran in the Islamic Consultative Assembly, reacted to the protests in Mashhad on Thursday, calling for the people's voices to be heard. Mr. Sadeghi tweeted that 'the protest gathering of the people in Mashhad and some cities is actually a protest against the disarray and shortcomings in the overall management system of the country over various periods; instead of trying to suppress and politicize it, let us listen to the people's voices and find solutions for them.' According to IRNA, Ahmad Alamolhoda, the representative of the Supreme Leader and Friday prayer leader in Mashhad, also commented on this matter, stating: 'In the protest on Thursday in Mashhad, which was illegally organized by an anonymous source, some took advantage of the people's demands.'