Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Shamkhani said the majority of those killed in last month’s protests in Tehran province over gasoline price hikes were not even involved in any of the protests.

Iran Press/Iran news: The secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, Ali Shamkhani met with the families of victims of recent unrest at the western cities of Tehran provinces on Thursday.

Speaking in the meeting with families, Shamkhani reiterated that more than 85 percent of those killed in riots in the province’s cities had not taken part in any of the demonstrations and they were suspiciously targeted and killed by 'Melee weapons' and 'firearms' that are not in service in the armed forces and security forces, Iran Press reported.

"This suggests that there certainly was a plot hatched by those opposed to the establishment to kill people during the unrest and pin the blame on the police and security forces," he added.

Referring to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei’s call for compensation for those who were killed or sustained damage or injuries during the riots, Shamkhani stressed on the necessity to pursue the issue urgently and based on a good and coordinated plan.

Also in a separate incident, Iran's Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans Affairs announced in a statement that the victims of the recent riots, who had no role in them, are considered martyrs based on the Leader's guidelines.

On the situation of those who lost their lives during armed clashes with the security forces, Ayatollah Khamenei called for investigating the history and background of their families, separating honorable families from those who were involved in criminal acts.

In mid-November, the Iranian government raised gasoline prices in order to moderate the national consumption rate.

The move prompted protests in a number of cities that went largely peaceful, but turned violent when armed riotous elements took advantage of the situation to vandalize public and state property, and attack civilians and security forces alike.

The unrest, however, did not last long as people from all walks of life took to the streets across the country, this time in support of the Islamic establishment and in condemnation of the riots. 212/ 101

 

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