Iran sees major internet disruption amid anti-government protests
by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent
(Worthy News) – Iran suffered a “major disruption” in the country’s internet service Wednesday, as anti-government protests continue nationwide, the Associated Press reports. The protests were triggered on September 16 when news broke that 22-year-old Mahsa Amini had died in police custody after being arrested for not wearing a hijab properly.
According to the NetBlocks internet advocacy group, Iran’s internet traffic fell to around 25% of the usual peak level on a weekday when people were at work and students were in class, AP reports.
Considering the impact of reduced internet access on the organization of protests, NetBlocks told AP: “The incident is likely to further limit the free flow of information amid protests.”
Nevertheless, reports of successful protests did come in on Wednesday, causing a “massive deployment” of riot police and plain clothes agents around Tehran, AP said.
“Witnesses saw at least one demonstration in Tehran by some 30 women who had removed their headscarves while chanting: “Death to the dictator!” AP said in its report. “Those cries, referring to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, can result in a closed-door trial in the country’s Revolutionary Court with the threat of a death sentence,” AP noted.