NCRI – Residents of Ahwaz, southern Iran, clashed with the suppressive agents of the State Security Forces in a rally on Eid al-Adha, a religious festival, on Thursday.
Demonstrators took to the streets after special Eid al-Adha rituals and demanded the freedom of political prisoners arrested during a demonstration about two and half months ago.
Protesters, particularly the youth, marched towards Ahwaz prison chanting anti-government slogans. According to independent reports government agents using tear gas and electric truncheons attacked and beat the protestors.
Fearing the spread of news of the clashes, the local authorities cut off all communication and public internet facilities in the city.
Ahwaz is the capital of the oil-rich province of Khuzistan which was the scene of bloody clashes last summer leaving hundreds dead and wounded. The regime had to enforce a marshal law to bring the explosive situation under control after two weeks.
Hundreds were arrested during and after the unrest followed by widespread public hangings and mysterious killings in the city.
