Rally staged in Glasgow in support of anti-government protests in Iran
"We're fighting for women in Iran"
Last updated 26th Sep 2022
Hundreds gathered in Glasgow today and marched to George Square in support of anti-government protests in Iran.
26 people have been killed since protests broke out there over the death of a woman in police custody, according to Iranian state broadcasters.
22-year-old Mahsa Amini died just three days after being detained by the morality police for allegedly wearing her hijab too loosely.
Officers reportedly forced her into their van and beat her with a baton before driving her to the police station and beating her again.
Her death has sparked sharp condemnation from western countries and the United Nations.
Demonstrators in Glasgow could be heard chanting and singing all throughout the area, holding flags, signs and pictures of Mahsa.
Its organiser, Alan Lessani, said:
"We're fighting for women in Iran. It's time for the brutal Islamic regime of Iran to go.
"Now is the time to do something about it.
"I am begging Europe and the western world to support this cause and the innocent girl who was killed for no reason."
Iranian police have insisted there is no evidence of any mistreatment and that she suffered "sudden heart failure".
And while the Iranian President, Ebrahim Raisi, says her death will be investigated, his Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi has insisted that she had not been beaten.
Mr Raisis has also pledged to "deal decisively" with the protests, which have now spread to most of Iran's 31 provinces.