Mahsa Amini: UK summons Iran's top diplomat in Britain over ruthless crackdown on protesters

Mahsa Amini: UK summons Iran's top diplomat in Britain over ruthless crackdown on protesters
The UK has summoned Iran's top diplomat in Britain over Tehran's brutal crackdown on protesters, who have taken to the streets across the Islamic Republic after the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini.
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In at least 86 towns and cities, thousands in Iran have taken to the streets to protest [source: Getty]

Britain's foreign ministry on Monday said it had summoned the Iranian charge d’affaires, Iran’s most senior diplomat in Britain, over the crackdown on protests following the death of Mahsa Amini in custody.

"The violence levelled at protesters in Iran by the security forces is truly shocking," British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said.

"Today we have made our view clear to the Iranian authorities – instead of blaming external actors for the unrest, they should take responsibility for their actions and listen to the concerns of their people." 

MENA
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Mahsa Amini, 22, died after she was arrested by Tehran's so-called morality police last month. She was taken to a police station for allegedly violating strict codes on women's clothing. 

Amini fell into a coma and died just days after her arrest. Eyewitnesses said she was beaten inside the police van and at the police station.  

Her death has prompted thousands in Iran to take to the streets. Demands for accountability over the 22-year-old's death have morphed into a wider movement challenging the authority of the state. 

At least 83 protesters have been killed in nearly two weeks of demonstrations, according to rights groups. 

28 journalists are confirmed to have been arrested, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists. 

[Reuters]