In Iran, numerous parents demonstrated on Saturday because of alleged poisoning attacks on schoolgirls. Protests broke out in the capital Tehran and other cities. According to media reports, hundreds of schoolgirls have complained about symptoms such as malaise, nausea or palpitations over the past few weeks and some have been taken to hospitals. According to the Ministry of Health, it was “mild poisoning”.
Some politicians have blamed Islamist extremists who oppose girls’ education. As of Saturday, more than 30 schools in at least 10 of Iran’s 31 provinces were affected. Videos posted on internet forums showed parents picking up their children outside school buildings and some girls being taken to hospitals by ambulance or bus. A rally by parents in front of the Ministry of Education building in western Tehran turned into an anti-government demonstration, a video shows.
For months, Iran’s rulers have faced anti-government protests that began after the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini. Amini died in police custody in mid-September. She had previously been arrested by the vice squad for allegedly wearing her headscarf incorrectly. According to Amnesty International, protests have since killed scores. Schoolgirls also took part in the demonstrations. The demonstrations have become the biggest challenge for the government since the founding of the Islamic Republic.