Iran to curb Internet till unrest is brought under control

Tehran: Iran's government informed that it would curb the Internet in the country as far as the unrest, protesting the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody, goes. Twenty-two-year-old Amini was apprehended and sent to a 're-education centre' allegedly for not wearing a hijab properly.

CNN reported that thousands of Iranians took to the street protesting the woman's death, and since Friday, demonstrations have been held in at least 40 cities across the nation, including the capital. Protesters demanded an end to discrimination against women as well as the compulsory wearing of the hijab.

Further reports suggested that many protesters were killed during clashes between them and security forces.

When Amnesty International reported on Friday that at least 30 people died in the protests, state media, the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), reported that 35 people died.

According to CNN, authorities believe that curbing the Internet would bring the fueling protests to control.

On Friday, Iran's Minister of Communications Ahmad Vahidi said, "Until the riots end, the Internet will have limitations. To prevent riot organization through social media, we are obliged to create Internet limitations."

The minister's statement came when viral videos surfaced on social media featuring women removing headscarves and burning them. Also, protesters chanted slogans such as "women, life, freedom."

Meanwhile, the United Nations called for an independent probe into the death of Amini, and it urged the security forces not to impart "disproportionate force" on demonstrators.

Amini's death has now become a symbol of the violent oppression women have faced in Iran for decades, and her name has spread around the globe, with world leaders invoking her even at the United Nations General Assembly in New York City this week, CNN reported.