Kanal13Emotional videos are emerging in social media, featuring commemoration ceremonies for protesters killed during Iran’s anti-government riots last month. In one such video, students are seen commemorating the memory of their teacher’s son killed during January protests. 24-year-old Sadra Soltani was killed by security forces amid government’s clampdown on protesters. A heartfelt video shared in social media shows the Iranian teacher bursting into tears as he watches the presentation prepared by his students that pay tribute to his son Sadra’s life. The 24-year-old was among thousands of young people killed by security forces during the nationwide riots in January this year.
Memorial ceremonies marking 40 days since the killing of protesters were held across the country this week despite heavy security presence. Iran’s exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi had also called supporters to attend the commemoration ceremonies. In the days leading up to the memorials, families said they received warning calls from Iranian security agencies cautioning them against holding gatherings. There were also reports that cemeteries in Arak had been closed, along with a heavy security presence at Behesht Zahra in Tehran. Tens of thousands of people were killed during nationwide protests last month, particularly during January 8-9 crackdown. with figures discussed in some reports ranging up to 30,000 or more casualties. The protests that started in late December due to economic problems, such as inflation and record devaluation of national currency, soon morphed into an anti-government movement, with demonstrators demanding a regime change.
