Leaked documents show Iran plan to 'systematically crush' protests: Amnesty International

Iran is purposely using "lethal force" to crack down on protests across the country that erupted following the death in custody of Mahsa Amini, rights group Amnesty International said on Friday.

The group say they obtained leaked documents which revealed the authorities’ plan to "systematically crush the protests at any cost", as 83 people have been killed in demonstrations so far.

Mahsa Amini - who eye witnesses say was beaten by Iranian police - died on 16 September, three days after the country’s morality police arrested her for not wearing her headscarf 'properly'.

"The Iranian authorities have mobilized their well-honed machinery of repression to ruthlessly crackdown on nationwide protests in an attempt to thwart any challenge to their power," Amnesty said in a statement.

"Without concerted collective action by the international community that goes beyond statements of condemnation, countless more people risk being killed, maimed, tortured, sexually assaulted and thrown behind bars," they added, calling for tangible action.

The group state that documents they obtained record that on 21 September, the General Headquarters of Armed Forces ordered commanders of armed forces to "severely confront" protesters who were described as "troublemakers and anti-revolutionaries". 

Amnesty also say they obtained a document which records that, on 23 September, the commander of armed forces in Mazandaran province ordered security forces in central areas "confront mercilessly, and while going as far as causing deaths, any unrest by rioters and anti-revolutionaries".

Activists across the world have taken to social media to stand in solidarity with Amini and the protests, and against Iran’s repression of women, by cutting their hair.

Mahsa Amini was visiting Tehran with her brother when she was detained by the so-called morality police for allegedly violating strict codes on female clothing.  

She was taken to Vozara police station and shortly afterward an ambulance arrived to take her to the hospital, where she died a few days later.