2018 Dervish protests
| 2018 Dervish protests | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date | 4 February 2018 – present (7 years, 4 months and 1 day) | ||
| Location | Tehran, Iran | ||
| Caused by | Possible arrest of Noor Ali Tabandeh Several Dervishes arrested | ||
| Methods | Demonstrations, riots | ||
| Status | Ongoing | ||
| Parties | |||
| Lead figures | |||
Noor Ali Tabandeh
| |||
| Number | |||
| |||
| Casualties | |||
| Death(s) | 1 protester[2] 5 security forces[3] | ||
| Injuries | 30+ | ||
| Arrested | 300[4] | ||
The 2018 Dervish protests are a series of ongoing protests by the Iranian Dervishes, who are members of Sufi Islam, in Tehran, Iran. The protests started on 4 February,[5] and calmed down the next day. However, protests flared up again on 19 February, where 3 members of the security forces were killed after being run over by a bus.[6]
Background
In Iran, Sufi groups are often persecuted and bother by government authorities, who see their practices as a threat.[7]
Timeline
19 February
On 19 February, the Dervishes organized a sit-in protest in front of a police station in Tehran where one of their members were held. Later clashes broke out between the Dervishes and security forces. Police used tear gas to attempt to disperse the protesters. Three members of the security forces were killed after a bus rammed into them, another one died after being stabbed, an a fifth was killed after a car attack.[8]
References
- ^ https://af.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idAFKCN1G40LZ
- ^ https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-sufi-gonabadi-protests-tehran-deaths/29050268.html
- ^ https://af.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idAFKCN1G40LZ
- ^ https://af.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idAFKCN1G40LZ
- ^ http://www.iranfocus.com/en/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32441:iran-dervishes-community-attacked-by-security-forces&catid=5:human-rights&Itemid=110
- ^ http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-43120815
- ^ http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-43120815
- ^ http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-43120815