Iran police chief issues surrender ultimatum over 'riots'
Summary
Iran's national police chief offered leniency for those who wrongly joined protests deemed as riots if they surrender within three days amid a crackdown following deadly demonstrations.
Key Points
- Iran's national police chief issued a three-day ultimatum for people deceived into joining protests to surrender for lighter punishment.
- Protests started in late December over economic hardship and escalated into the biggest challenge to Iran's leadership in years.
- Authorities reported around 3,000 arrests related to demonstrations, while rights groups estimate up to 20,000.
- Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed to harshly punish those involved in the unrest, calling them seditionists and criminals.
