UN experts express concern over Iran protests
A group of UN human rights experts say they are "very disturbed" by the way Iranian authorities have responded to the rallies that have led to the deaths of at least 22 people.
The four independent experts appointed by the UN Human Rights Council said in a joint statement issued today in Geneva that authorities should "exercise restraint."
"The government's instruction to the Revolutionary Guard to hit hard against the protesters, and the judiciary's threats of harsh punishment, are unacceptable."
They said they are also very concerned about shutdowns of social media services such as Instagram and messaging services like Telegram, arguing that "communication blackouts constitute a serious violation of fundamental rights."
Pro-government rallies
Iran's sem-official Fars News Agency is tweeting a thread of photos of pro-government rallies taking place across Iran today.
1,700 people have been arrested in Iran amid the unrest, Radio Farda reports:
Iranian police have asked people to send photos and videos of "trouble-makers," local media reported, and to identify suspects already caught on camera.
Pro-government rallies
State media have released photos of pro-government rallies in several cities, including Tabriz, in northwestern Iran. It marked the third day of such demonstrations.
More from hard-line cleric Ahmad Khatami, who is speaking during Friday prayers in Tehran, via AP.
Khatami called on Iran to create its own indigenous social media websites, blaming Western apps for the unrest that followed days of protests.
Khatami said that "the nation does not support a social network that its key is in the hand of the United States." He also said he believed anyone who burned Iran's flag should be sentenced to death.