Iranian coroner denies Mahsa Amini died from blows to body
Al JazeeraDec 23, 2022
The Facts
On Monday, dozens of workers of Iran's vital oil-and-gas industry went on strike, reportedly joining for the first time anti-government protests now in the fourth week. The semi-official Tasnim news agency, however, described the incident - including the slogan "death to the dictator" - as a salary dispute involving 700 workers.
Meanwhile, violence erupted in the Iranian Kurdish city of Sanandaj, where gunshots and blasts were heard. The government has so far failed to suppress nationwide protests led by young Iranians and triggered by the death of Iranian Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
Amini's death, and the circumstances that resulted in the tragedy, have exposed how the Iranian regime treats its citizens and pushed the country's youth to its absolute limits. President Raisi has already fostered a volatile environment by failing to tackle the economic crisis and youth unemployment, and repression against women through the criminalization of "immodest dressing" has only amplified discontent. Iranians cannot blindly comply with these orders any longer.
Establishment-critical narrative
Iran's riots have nothing to do with the death of Amini but everything to do with the enemies of Iran exploiting the tragic event for the purpose of creating chaos in the country. This was simply the right excuse at the right time. However, Iranians can count on their government to remain firm in its opposition to meddling from Western hegemony and Israel's Zionist regime.
