Iran Ebrahim Raisi Speech Interrupted: Iran celebrated the 44th anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution on Saturday (February 11) amid nationwide anti-government protests and rising tensions with Western countries. Thousands of Iranians marched through major streets and squares carrying flags, balloons and placards bearing revolutionary and religious slogans. During this, hackers disrupted the state TV coverage.
According to media reports, Iran’s President Ibrahim Raisi’s live television speech was interrupted on the Internet for about a minute.
Hackers interrupted the President’s speech
A live television speech by Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi was hacked by hackers, with the logo of a group of anti-government hackers appearing on the screen. During this there was a loud voice – ‘Death to the Islamic Republic’. Raisi’s government has been facing challenges from young protesters for the past several months. Raisi asked the youth to stop the violence and apologize.
Demonstrations since the death of Mahsa Amini
“The Iranian people will embrace him with open arms,” President Ibrahim Raisi told a crowd gathered in Tehran’s sprawling Azadi Square. Last September, there were nationwide protests in Iran following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in the custody of the country’s morality police. It was considered the biggest challenge for the Islamic Republic after the 1979 revolution. The security forces also responded to these protests in the same language.
Release of many prisoners arrested in demonstrations
Iranian authorities released jailed and hunger-striking Farhad Messami and Fariba Adelkhah on Friday as part of an amnesty marking the anniversary of the revolution. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei recently issued an amnesty for a large number of prisoners arrested in anti-government protests. Human rights group HRANA said that dozens of political prisoners and protesters, including several prominent figures, had been freed under amnesty.
Over 500 killed in anti-government protests
Human rights activists have expressed concern on social media that many may be forced to sign an affidavit not to repeat their crimes before being released. At the same time, the judiciary denied it on Friday. Human rights group HRANA said that as of Friday, 528 protesters had been killed, including 71 minors. Along with this, 70 government security forces were also killed. According to the report, 19,763 protesters have been arrested.
Iranian leaders and state media on Saturday tried to show solidarity against anti-government protests in the country. Domestically-made anti-ballistic missiles, drones, anti-submarine cruisers and other military equipment were displayed as part of the ceremony in Tehran.
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