World / Protest against the Iranian govt over the custodial death of the girl spread to more cities

In Iran, widespread protests against the government over the custodial death of a 22-year-old Kurdish girl have spread to nearly 80 cities. The woman was arrested by the police for allegedly violating the strict hijab law. Hundreds of protesters took to the streets following the death of Mahsa Amini, raising anti-government slogans targeting the Islamic regime and the country's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Most of the protesters were women.

Iranian state television said on Friday that the death toll in violent clashes with security forces had risen to 26. The unrest is said to be the most widespread in recent years, spreading to some 80 Iranian cities. It said at least five security personnel were killed and several others injured during attempts to control protesters in Mashhad, Kuchan, Shiraz, Tabriz and Karaj.

Women burn hijab on the street

Amini's death has sparked a long-running fury in the Islamic nation over restrictions on personal liberty. In the past few days, some protesting women burnt their hijabs on the streets, in what is seen as an unprecedented act of defiance. At the same time, the protesting men burnt posters of the supreme leader in several cities, including the religious cities of Qom and Isfahan.

Sulemani's posters were burnt in the demonstration

The protesters tore and burnt the posters of Revolutionary Guard commander Qasim Soleimani. Soleimani was killed in a US drone strike in January 2000 in his hometown of Kerman. Iranian law stipulates that all women in public places cover their heads with clothing and wear loose clothing.

The rule has been in force since the Islamic Revolution

This rule has been in force since the Islamic Revolution of 1979. This applies to every woman in the country. Amini, a resident of the northwestern city of Sakej, died on September 16 after being in a coma for three days. She was with her brother in Tehran when she was arrested by the military police. She fell into a coma shortly after falling into a detention center.