Before I start the usual coverage, with a heavy heart, have to have a brief report on #NavidAfkari, the executed prisoner in Iran which has caused an International outcry.
Navid Afkari along with his two brothers were arrested in late summer 2018 allegedly during protests but then later charged with killing of an IRGC Baseej member.
There are so much that can be said about inconsistencies around his case, sham TV interview, tortures he suffered and the fact that there is more evidence to show that he died under torture and not executed. But in his last words, he would like you to know this:
His execution has resulted in a big outcry around the world. If anything, I would like you to know his story. This is Bobby Green wrestling champion right after the fight and hearing about Navid - his reaction is worth watching.
Ashura wave (3rd wave) is here - the numbers are exploding across the country. Tehran daily admissions jumped from 534 to 659. Number of admitted cases in Qom reaching 550, from 450.
Reports from rest of the country shows that COVID is on the rise in 16 out 31 provinces. Since we were already in a wave, this will only complicate the matters.
Number of patients in critical condition has also risen to roughly 3800 while it was going down and reached <3700.
Reports from Alshtar (33K) shows that in the last 15 days after the school opening, 39 student between the age of 7 and 17 have contracted the virus.
Also an 8 year old student in Khuzestan has died of #COVID19. He is reported to have had congenital heart disease. [full face was cropped]
A member of the Medical High Council has again attacked the government for opening the schools and believes the 3rd wave this time could have more devastating impact due to worn out medical staff.
Dr. Minoo Mohraz, Iran's top Infectious Disease specialist also raised her concerns around the school opening and stated each infected child could infect another 4 people in her/his family.
It then, however, turned out to be the work of Islamic Republic's own intelligence ministry. They finally accepted that an "autonomous cell" within the ministry led by Saied Emami had gone rogue and planned and executed the attack.
With that in the back of Iranian minds, terrorist attack on Shah Cheragh shrine in Shiraz was immediately dismissed as the work of the Islamic Republic itself, especially considering the timing (protests).
But it is undeniable that ISIS has claimed responsibility and released 👇
Today, dozens of cities around the world will witness human chains of Iranians extending for miles.
This has been planned for London too, sadly I do not feel well enough to go.
After weeks and weeks of reactive handling of the protests in the hope of them fizzling out, today the regime is planning to use today's burial procession of Shiraz terrorist attack victims to take the initiative back again.
IRGC Commander again declared the end of protests.
As you can see from the images above, even for a neutral event where everyone would condemn such cowardly terrorist attack (and I do too), the regime failed to bring masses to the street.
Believe me I chose busiest pics, check them for yourself.
#BREAKING The country is in turmoil and it feels like the regime is losing the grip - which is not necessarily good news since this might mean we enter a military phase.
People are reported to be in control of Town of Mahabad in Kurdistan
Funny thing is that taghvim.com website used commonly by Iranians says today is 30th of Rabi al-Awwal. All other calendars say today is 1st of Rabi-ali-Thaani.
It cannot be ISIS!
My Arab followers, can you please tell me what day it is according to Hijri calendar?
Some calendars I found say 28th, some 29th, some 1st ...
#IranProtests2022 5th week of incessant protests (29th day) starting today with reports of ongoing protests in Karaj, Rashst, Hamedan and Shahinshahr.
It is 1:30 PM local time.
This is students today in Sanandaj.
In Ardabil where a high school student was allegedly beaten to death (we have not yet been able to confirm or disprove) protesters have clashed with the security forces.