The number of people killed in the Iranian government crackdown on nationwide protests has now reached at least 234, according to a Norway-based human rights organization.
As many as 29 children were among those killed, Iran Human Rights said in a statement on Wednesday, adding that it has “received many reports of authorities attempting to cover up the killing of protesters."
The group said protesters have been killed in 21 provinces, with the most reported in Sistan and Baluchistan, Mazandaran, Tehran, Gilan and Kurdistan. The highest number of deaths were recorded on 21, 22 and 30 September.
"Returning bodies are made contingent on families promising to stay silent or confirming the false causes of death cited by the Forensic Medical Organisation on the death certificates. In some cases, the slain were buried without families being notified and far from their residence."
The wave of public anger, now on its 40th day, has gripped Iran since the September 16 death in custody of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who had been arrested by the morality police in Tehran for not wearing her hijab in a “proper” manner.
Iran’s government insists Amini was not mistreated, but her family says her body showed bruises and other signs of beating.
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