Iran police chief promises ‘leniency’ to those who surrender over ‘riots’

By AFP 19 January 2026, 5:06 pm

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A woman crosses an intersection as vehicles drive past in downtown Tehran, Iran, on January 16, 2026. (AP/Vahid Salemi)

Iran’s national police chief says that people who were “deceived” into joining demonstrations the authorities have deemed “riots” would receive lighter punishment if they turned themselves in within three days.

“Young people who became unwittingly involved in the riots are considered to be deceived individuals, not enemy soldiers,” and “will be treated with leniency by the Islamic Republic system,” Ahmad-Reza Radan tells state television, adding that they have “a maximum of three days” to surrender to authorities.