The head of the European Commission condemns the “violent repression” in Iran: “Europe fully supports” the protesters

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen sent a message of solidarity to protesters in Iran on Saturday and called for the “immediate release of all imprisoned demonstrators”.

In Iran, on Saturday, there is a 14th consecutive day of street demonstrations. The protests broke out on December 28 amid economic grievances, but have since morphed into more general demonstrations against the theocratic regime in Tehran.

“The streets of Tehran and cities around the world are resounding with the footsteps of Iranian women and men demanding freedom. Freedom to speak, to assemble, to travel and, above all, to live freely. Europe fully supports them,” the president of the European Commission said in a post on the X platform on Saturday.

Ursula von der Leyen said the protests in Iran were “legitimate”.

“We unequivocally condemn the violent repression of these legitimate demonstrations. Those responsible will be remembered on the wrong side of history. We demand the immediate release of all imprisoned demonstrators. We demand the restoration of full access to the Internet. And we demand, finally, respect for fundamental rights”, concluded the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.

Dozens of people killed and over 2,300 arrested

At least 65 people have been killed and more than 2,300 arrested in the two weeks of protests in Iran, according to human rights activists. Iran's Attorney General Mohammad Movahedi Azad said “legal proceedings” against the protesters would be “without leniency, mercy or concessions,” CNN reported, citing the Tasnim news agency.

“The charges against all those involved in the riots are the same. Whether it is people who supported hooligans and terrorists in destroying and damaging public security and property, or mercenaries who took up arms and sowed fear and terror among citizens,” the official said.

He warned that “acts of vandalism on public property” would be classified under the crime of “moharebeh”, a term translated as “war against God”. The prescribed punishment for “moharebeh” includes execution.