Iranians protest acid attacks
Protests have sprung up in Esfahan over the acid attacks that have terrorized the citizens there and concerns of potential leniency by authorities.
After the recent gruesome acid attacks on women in the city of Esfahan, Iranians have protested what they feel is lenient punishment for men who perpetrate violence against women and conservatives who obsess over female veiling.
The serial acid attacks shocked and horrified Iranian citizens. Two of the victims were shown and interviewed on Iranian television. One's face was completely bandaged. One side of the other's was disfigured. Another victim died from the attack. Iran’s Health Minister Hassan Ghazidadeh Hashemi, a well known eye surgeon, visited victim Soheila Joorkash and examined her eyes.
Videos have been posted online of a number of protests in Esfahan, where the attacks took place. Both men and women were present at the protests in front of Esfahan's Department of Justice building. In one video, an official asks the people for patience and promises that the judiciary will deal firmly with the attackers. The protesters responded, “It’s a lie, it’s lie.”
A number of prominent women’s groups and activists, including Narges Mohammadi, Nasrin Sotudeh and Noushin Ahmadi Khorasani, protested in front of parliament in Tehran. They chanted slogans such as “Acid attacks are a crime, lawmakers show support,” “A safe city is my right,” and “Death to [the Islamic State].”
