Police officers hurt in violent clashes outside Iran’s London embassy as deadly protests against regime spread worldwide
SEVERAL police officers have been injured in shocking violent clashes between protesters and pro-Iran thugs outside the regime’s embassy in London tonight.
Ugly scenes erupted as hundreds demonstrated against Iran’s brutal crackdown on ongoing hijab protests that have so far left dozens dead.
Pictures showed crowds surging at cops against a barrier as they tried to break in to embassy in Kensington.
Pro-regime supporters were also seen fighting with sticks as they clashed with individuals calling for an end to the Islamic Republic of Iran on the West London street.
Iranian Lawyer Eyad Aldulaimi based in London described scenes of “angry protesters storming the Iranian Embassy in London” after individuals managed to get through security gates protecting the embassy.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed the protests outside the Iranian Embassy in London turned “violent” on Sunday afternoon, leading to the arrest of five people.
“During the afternoon of Sunday, 25 September a large number of protesters gathered at the location, with a substantial group intent on causing disorder,” the Met Police said in a statement at 6:10pm.
“Further police resources were brought in to support those on the ground after protesters attempted to breach police lines and had thrown missiles at officers.”
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The force added: “Five arrests have been made for offences including violent disorder.
“We are aware of a number of police officers who received injuries while dealing with the disorder; none of those are thought to be seriously hurt.”
Tajuden Soroush, a senior international correspondent for news channel Iran Intl who was covering the protest in London, confirmed the Embassy’s security had been breached.
“Angry protesters entered the grounds of the Iranian embassy in London and pelted the embassy with eggs,” Soroush tweeted at 3:38pm.
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In a video posted by the journalist, a man dressed in black can be seen standing on top of the security building at the entrance of the embassy carrying an Iranian flag and throwing a plastic chair onto the embassy grounds, as another protestor throws large objects onto the official building’s walls.
By the evening, the embassy walls were covered with red paint.
Earlier videos circulating on social media appeared to show little police presence outside the Embassy, with some witnesses tweeting: “The police too few no protective gear”.
Another video posted by vlogger Paul Brown shows several individuals getting into a fight, whilst others are trying to calm them down.
“Kicking off on the streets of London between Iran freedom protesters and the Muharram [first month of the Islamic calendar] gatherings at Marble Arch London – no police here at moment,” the vlogger posted at 5:05pm.
News reporter Dylan Frank posted a video of protesters clashing with police officers after security rapidly set up a barrier to stop protesters from entering the embassy buildings.
As darkness fell, the protests spread to Maida Vale, where police were seen beating a demonstrator lying on the floor, as he attended a protest outside the Islamic Centre of England.
The Centre was founded by Ayatollah Khamenei’s representative.
Another Iranian protester was seen climbing on top of the Centre to wave the Lion and Sun flag – Iran’s national flag before the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Protests spread to European cities
The Iranian protests were sparked by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini on September 16, after she was arrested by the morality police for “inappropriate hijab”.
The Iranian protests have spread to European cities, including Paris and Athens, amid mounting global fury at the regime’s brutal clampdown.
On Saturday, hundreds gathered in the French capital in the central Place du Chatelet.
Besides chants against Iran’s Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei., two women activists were seen shaving their heads on stage in a show of solidarity.
“Today is not just about Mahsa, but it’s also to show our 43-year-old hatred of the Islamic Republic,” Mahboubeh Moradi, an Iranian activist living in France was quoted as saying by EuroNews.
“This is why we’re here today and what we’re seeing in Iran is a big demonstration, and if I may say, a revolution that is happening”.
On Sunday, the protests which flared again in Paris became tenser as riot police clashed with protesters.
Rallies were also organised in the Greek and Swedish capitals.
In Athens, women were seen cutting their hair whilst waving placards reading “Say her name!” in reference to Mahsa.
In Stockholm, a group of women also chopped their hair while another group brandished photos of protesters killed during the regime’s brutal crackdown on demonstrations across Iran.
The regime of Tehran has so far said 35 people had been killed, but activists said the number is now more than 50 and could be up to 100, according to the opposition group the People’s Mujahedin Organisation of Iran (MEK).
One of the latest victims to be identified was 20-year-old Hadis Najafi from Karaj in northern Iran, who died after being “shot six times” in the face and chest by Iranian security forces.
There have been protests in 133 cities in all 31 provinces.
Across Iran, demonstrators have clashed with police, hurling rocks and bottles, as well as setting fires in a number of cities following over a week of protests.
