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Iran Focus
 Tehran, Iran, Aug. 02 – Iran’s State Security Forces on Monday
evening opened fire at a peaceful anti-government demonstration in the
Kurdish town of Sanandaj, northwest Iran, killing several people including
two children and starting riots throughout the town, eye-witnesses reported.
At least 1,000 people had gathered at Esteghlal Park in the evening, peacefully
demonstrating in protest to the brutal torture and murder of a young Kurd by
police in the neighbouring town of Mahabad which had acted as a catalyst for
widespread anti-government protests in Kurdistan and Western Azerbaijan provinces for the past three
weeks.
 Protestors held up placards demanding justice
for the killers of Shoan Qaderi.
There were also chants against senior officials within Iran’s theocratic leadership.
Uniformed and plain-clothed police attacked protestors in Enghelab Square and Sheshom-e Bahman
Street and at one point started to shoot live rounds. Eye-witnesses reported
that several people were injured or killed. Among the dead are believed to be
two children.
As demonstrators dispersed, a full-scale riot broke out in Sanandaj. People threw stones to fight off police and
burnt car tyres in the streets. Local banks were
attacked and had their windows shattered.
 Several sonic-booms were also set off in
between protestors.
There is presently no accurate information on the number of people arrested,
though witnesses reported heavy police presence in the town. Anti-riot units
were also brought in from neighbouring towns to
quell the protests.
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