Iran ordered forces to ‘severely confront’ protests, says Amnesty

A woman holds a photo of Iranian Mahsa Amini during a protest against her death, in Berlin, Germany, Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022. Amini, a 22-year-old woman who died in Iran while in police custody, was arrested by Iran’s morality police for allegedly violating its strictly-enforced dress code. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

Leaked government documents show that Iran ordered its security forces to “severely confront” anti-government demonstrations that broke out earlier this month, Amnesty International has said.

The rights group said security forces have killed at least 52 people since protests over the death of a woman detained by the morality police began nearly two weeks ago, including by firing live ammunition into crowds and beating protesters with batons.