IRAN: President says right to protest acceptable but violence will not be condoned

President Hassan Rouhani of Iran has spoken for the first time after an outbreak of demonstrations over the rising costs of food and fuel prices.

Rouhani who was speaking on local TV monitored in Tehran said people in the country have the right to protest but warned that violent anti-government demonstrations are unacceptable.

“It should be clear to everyone that we are people of freedom. According to the constitution and citizens’ rights, people are free to express their criticism and to protest.

“However, we need to pay attention to the manner of that criticism and protest. It should be in such a way that it will lead to the improvement of the people and state,” he added.

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“People have the right to protest, but those demonstrations should not make the public feel concerned about their lives and security.”

The comments of the president is coming after Iranian authorities blocked access to Instagram and Telegram social media Apps in the country after a video of two dead demonstrators who passed away in Dorud, after sustaining gunshot wounds fired by anti-riot police went viral.

Reports say authorities in Iran imposed the ban as a security measure during rare anti-government protests over rising cost of food and fuel prices which has gone violent.

According to Iranian state TV, Irib News, the government said social media in the country would be temporarily limited as the government warned protesters they would pay a price if days of unrest continued.

 

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