As unrest persists, Iran’s judiciary chief calls for dialogue with protesters

TEHRAN, Iran (AA) – After almost four weeks of protests over the death of a woman in police custody, Iran’s judiciary chief has expressed his willingness for dialogue with protesters.

Speaking at a meeting of senior judiciary officials in Tehran, Mohsen Ejei said he is willing to engage in dialogue and negotiations with all groups to put an end to countrywide protests that have rocked Iran since mid-September.

“If political factions, groups, or individuals have any questions, criticism, ambiguity, or protest, I declare my readiness to talk to them,” the judiciary chief said.

He added that if there is any “criticism or protest”, they will accept that and “make the corrections”.

His remarks came as protests continue in many cities across Iran, almost four weeks after Mahsa Amini, 22, died in mysterious circumstances after being detained for wearing “inappropriate dress” by the country’s morality police.

The angry protests, which first broke out in Amini’s hometown of Sanandaj in western Iran, later spread to all major Iranian cities, including Tehran.

The government is yet to announce the exact figure, but independent rights groups have put the number of deaths during protests at more than 100.

Ejei, echoing other top Iranian officials, said Amini’s death was an “excuse” by Iran’s adversaries to foment unrest in the country, citing a recently released forensic report that claimed her death was due to multiple organ failure, not physical violence.

Amini’s family, however, has rejected the report. Her father has said that there were traces of blood on his daughter’s neck and ears when he saw her body.