The Aban 1398 uprising began after a sudden 200% increase in gasoline prices. Protests spread to over 191 cities across 29 provinces and were met with brutal suppression. Over 1,500 people were killed, 4,000 injured, and 12,000 detained.
Historical Context
At midnight on November 15, 2019, the government doubled gasoline prices without prior notice. Protests began the same day in various cities and quickly spread nationwide. The government cut 95% of internet access on November 16. IRGC forces, Basij, and police fired on protesters with military weapons. Among the dead were children aged 13 to 15. Reuters reported approximately 1,500 killed based on Interior Ministry sources.
Fun Facts
This was the first time Iran completely shut down the national internet. Leila Vaseghi, governor of Quds county, admitted to personally ordering the shooting of protesters. The Aban Tribunal, an international people's court, was established in 2021 to investigate these crimes.
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