Field reports of intensified violence against protesters in Karaj and Tehran
According to field reports and testimonies from citizens, on the 10th and 11th of October, protests in various areas of Karaj were accompanied by a large presence of people, and security forces fired live ammunition at the protesters.
Witnesses say that in Mehrshahr, large gatherings of people took place and the Mehrshahr prayer hall building was set on fire. At the same time, security forces directly fired at dozens of people, and according to reports, at least 20 to 30 people were injured or killed. Additionally, in Mohammadshahr, shooting with live ammunition at people was reported, and there are reports of a significant number of protesters being killed.
In Tehran, local sources report widespread killings of citizens during the crackdown. A source close to the victims’ families has stated that in the Sadeghieh neighborhood, an individual died from a gunshot wound to the abdomen. According to these reports, families are facing difficulties in retrieving the bodies of the victims. Some unofficial estimates suggest that at least a thousand people have been killed in Tehran.
On the evening of October 11th, the situation in Fardis has also been described as extremely critical. Witnesses say armed forces have fired at people and even vehicles at intersections without distinguishing age or status. There are also reports of the burning of the district 5 Karaj municipality building, mosques, Basij bases, and the burning of a police car and booth at the Mesbah intersection.
Local sources emphasize that a large number of protesters have been arrested, and there is no information about the fate of many others. According to witnesses, people are standing empty-handed against bullets, and the situation is very dire.
Alongside the field crackdown, severe communication disruptions have also been reported. According to these reports, only limited access to Telegram has been possible, and text messages are cut off. Additionally, during peak protest hours, phone lines and the internet are widely cut off to disrupt communication among citizens.