Iran: Security forces fire on protesters: two dead

Iranian security forces shot dead a young man during continuing protests over Mahsa Amini’s death on Thursday, the Hengaw Organisation for Human Rights said.

“At least two young men were killed in the cities of Mahabad and Sanandaj by direct fire from Iranian security forces,” Hengaw, a Norway-based group, said on Twitter identifying the victims as Esmail Mawloodi and Mohammad Shariati.

Esmail Mawloodi, 35, was killed by Iranian security forces during the ongoing protests in the city of Mahabad, Mohammad Shariati in Sanandaj, henga said. 

Kurdistan Human Rights Network cited sources saying  in these two cities more than 10 protestors were injured due to shooting with live bullets.

Large crowds of people gathered on Wednesday and marched towards Amini's grave marking 40 days since her death in police custody in Tehran despite warnings and measures taken by security forces, with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) allegedly forcing the Amini family to say that they would not hold an event on the day.

Chants of "Woman, life, freedom", "Death to the dictator" and "Down with traitors" echoed at the burial site in Aichi cemetery in the Kurdish city of Saqqez, Amini's hometown and the origin of the weeks-long nationwide protests. Security forces also reportedly fired tear gas at protesters in Saqqez.

According to Kurdish human rights organizations, at least 40 people have been killed in the Kurdish areas with over 800 wounded and several thousands detained.

The Oslo-based Iran Human Rights Organization (IHR), which covers human rights violations across Iran, said on Tuesday that at least 234 people, including 29 children have been killed in the ongoing nationwide protests.