Iranian state television reported today that up to 3,000 people have been arrested for allegedly inciting riots or provoking demonstrations across Iran, Anadolu reports.

The report cited a security source, who asked not to be identified due to restrictions, who claimed those arrested are involved in anti-government protests, are linked to “terrorist groups” or accused of aggravating events.

More earlier, a separate count by the Human Rights Activists News Agency, a US-based group not affiliated with the Iranian government, said the ongoing protests have led to the arrest of more than 19,000 people.

2,677 people have been killed in the clashes that erupted during the protests, the group added. Iranian authorities have so far not released any statement on the total number of people killed or injured during the protests.

Protests began on December 28 in the capital Tehran, when shopkeepers, traders and small business owners staged strikes and demonstrations to protest rising inflation, the fall of the rial currency and worsening economic conditions.

The demonstrations have since spread to many cities and escalated in expression anti-government unrest involving workers, students and others.

Source: prizrenpost