Iranian lawmaker says 5,000 arrested during January protests

Dozens were killed in demonstrations that began over economic grievances and quickly spread across the country

By AP 2 February 2018, 9:08 pm

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Iranian protesters chant slogans at a rally in Tehran, Iran, December 30, 2017. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

TEHRAN, Iran — An Iranian lawmaker says authorities detained nearly 5,000 people during the widespread protests and unrest that took place in January.

Parliament member Alireza Rahimi posted on messaging service Telegram Friday that only 492 of those arrested are still in jail and the rest have been released.

Rahimi said only six protesters were detained in the capital Tehran, including two women. He added that some 95 per cent of all those arrested were men.

Earlier in January, lawmaker Mahmoud Sadeghi had said some 3,700 protesters were detained, adding that it was the most accurate figure he could offer at the time.

Dozens were killed during the demonstrations that began over economic grievances and quickly spread across the country and turned into anti-government protests.