Iran yesterday deployed riot police in the capital, expecting more protests after the Iranian Revolutionary Guard admitted to accidentally shooting down a passenger airplane at a time of soaring tensions with the US.
Riot police and plainclothes officers could be seen massing in Vali-e Asr Square in Tehran as calls circulated for protests later in the day.
A large black banner unveiled in the square bore the names of those killed in the crash.
Photo: Bloomberg
The crash early on Wednesday killed all 176 people onboard, mostly Iranians and Iranian-Canadians.
After initially blaming a technical failure, Iranian authorities eventually admitted to accidentally shooting it down in the face of mounting evidence and accusations by Western leaders.
Iranians have expressed anger over the downing of the airplane and the misleading explanations from senior officials in the wake of the tragedy.
A candlelight ceremony late on Saturday in Tehran turned into a protest, with hundreds of people chanting against the country’s leaders — including Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei — and police dispersing them with tear gas.
Criticism of the supreme leader is punishable by up to two years in prison.
Police briefly detained British Ambassador to Iran Rob Macaire, who said he went with the intention of attending the vigil and did not know it would turn into a protest.
Mehdi Karroubi, an opposition advocate under house arrest, lashed out at Khamenei.
“You, as the commander of chief of the armed forces, are directly responsible for this,” he said in a statement. “Please tell us, were you aware of this disaster on Wednesday morning? Or did you learn about this on Friday, as the media close to you claims?”
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