Day Fifteen of Iran's Nationwide Protests: Sharp Rise in Human Casualties

Summary

HRANA – According to the latest data from HRANA, the deaths of 544 people during the protests have been confirmed, and dozens of additional cases remain under review. More than 10,681 individuals have also been transferred to prisons following arrest. Protests have taken place at 585 locations across the country, in 186 cities, spanning all 31 provinces.On the fifteenth day of Iran’s nationwide protests, HRANA received a new wave of data and visual documentation over the past 24 hours. This comes amid an internet shutdown that has been in place since day thirteen, severely disrupting the collection and independent verification of information.These data, particularly visual documentation and evidence related to body-holding facilities around Tehran, have greatly aided the verification process and indicate that the death toll is far higher and that the crackdown has been carried out on a much broader scale. At the same time, the government’s official narrative has grown increasingly harsh and securitized, with officials placing responsibility on “terrorists” and “armed rioters.”Internet Shutdown and Its Impact on Access to InformationThe internet shutdown has now entered its third day, heightening concerns over “severe repression.” NetBlocks has reported that Iran’s connectivity to the outside world remains at around only one percent of normal levels, a situation that has effectively minimized public access to information and the ability of individuals to communicate with one another.Within this context, the UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission has called on the Iranian government to immediately restore internet and mobile connectivity and to put an end to “violent repression.” The mission has also expressed concern over information indicating that the Supreme National Security Council has instructed security forces to carry out repression in a “decisive and unrestrained” manner.HRANA’s Statistical Summary up to January 11Based on HRANA’s latest aggregate...