Crowds of mourners in Abdanan, Iran, appear to have been fired upon by a security official at a cemetery on Tuesday. The incident occurred during a commemoration for those killed in the government's crackdown on protests last month.
Verified video evidence shows an armored vehicle moving past a crowd as an apparent security official opens fire. Screams are heard, and people are seen fleeing the scene as two gunshots ring out. The uniformed individual is seen pointing the weapon towards the crowd. Smoke puffs are visible near the gun after each shot.
Another verified video from the cemetery shows distant smoke as people flee. State-run IRIB News has claimed the event was peaceful and denied reports of injuries or fatalities.
The commemoration was for individuals like Alireza Seydi, a teenager from Abdanan believed to have been killed during recent protests. Nationwide protests, which began over economic issues, escalated significantly in early January. Thousands are reported to have been killed in government crackdowns.