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Iran's judiciary calls for uncompromising police action against demonstrators
Photo: GEORGE VITSARAS/EPA
Iran's head of justice has ordered security forces to crack down on the nationwide protests.
Gholam-Hussein Mohseni-Edschehi instructed the judiciary and police in all parts of the country not to compromise when dealing with "professional rioters" and leaders of the unrest, the state news agency IRNA reported.
According to the head of justice, this should guarantee the security of the citizens.
For days, experts have feared that the Iranian authorities will crack down on the protests against the death of a young woman to end the demonstrations on the streets.
At least 17 people have been killed in recent protests and riots in dozens of Iranian cities.
Both security forces and demonstrators were among the victims, state television reported.
The protests were triggered by the death of 22-year-old Iranian Mahsa Amini.
She was arrested by the Morality Police just over a week ago for violating the strict Islamic dress code.
What exactly happened to Amini after her arrest is unclear.
Anyway, she went into a coma and died in a hospital on Friday.
Critics accuse the morality police of using violence.
The police deny the allegations.
Since then, thousands of people have been demonstrating across the country against the government's repressive course.
Meanwhile, the US government imposed sanctions on Iran's morality police and senior security officials.
The US Treasury Department said the morality police are responsible for violence against women and violating the rights of peaceful protesters.
High-ranking executives from various security organizations in the country are also affected by the measures, including the head of the moral police.
These officials oversee organizations that routinely use violence to repress peaceful protesters and members of Iranian civil society, according to the US Department.
jso/dpa