According to Radan, "important arrests of key participants in the riots were made last night (January 10), and, if it is God's will, they will be punished after all necessary legal procedures are completed."
The Iranian state television and radio company IRIB also published video recordings of the arrests of protesters in the cities of Shiraz and Mazandaran. However, the names of those arrested are not disclosed. According to Tasnim, citing sources in law enforcement, at least 200 leaders of armed groups suspected of organizing mass riots in the country have been detained.
Protests in Iran began in late December and were triggered by the fall of the national currency and a sharp increase in prices. Protesters are demanding a change in the political regime and the return to power of Reza Pahlavi, the son of the Shah who was overthrown in 1979. Time magazine reported at least 217 deaths during the riots, while Iranian authorities claim that 15 police officers were killed during the protests.
