Rights group: Iran’s security forces kill four amid protests over Mahsa Amini’s death
September 20, 2022, 11:20 am

Rights group: Iran’s security forces kill four amid protests over Mahsa Amini’s death

An Iranian Kurdish rights group said on Monday (Sep 19) at least four people were killed, over a dozen injured, and a 10-year-old girl was in critical condition after being shot in the head by security forces during anti-government protests sparked by the death of a young woman in police custody - Photo. Twitter account

Protests triggered by the death of 22-year-old Iranian Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini escalated late on Monday (Sep 19), spreading to multiple cities and turning violent in some areas.

Rights group Hengaw said security forces opened fire on protesters in the city of Saqqez, Amini’s hometown, in Kurdistan province, killing two people.

In Divandarreh, also in Kurdistan province, where heavy clashes erupted between protesters and security forces earlier on Monday, “at least two citizens – Fouad Qadimi and Mohsen Mohammadi – died after being taken to Kosar Hospital in Sanandaj and 15 others were injured,” Hengaw said.

The rights group also said that a 10-year-old girl was in critical condition after being shot in the head in Bukan, a city in West Azerbaijan province.

Mahsa Amini, 22, is in a coma after being tortured by Iranian authorities.

This would be unacceptable no matter what, but the fact that she was arrested for improper wearing of the hijab makes it even more horrifying.

Please join me in sharing her name and story.#مهسا_امینی pic.twitter.com/FEB6BYfIZO
— Leah Remini (@LeahRemini) September 15, 2022

Protesters in multiple cities clashed with security forces late on Monday and shouted slogans against the regime and its highest authority, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, videos shared on Twitter showed.

A video shared by @1500tasvir, an Iranian Twitter account that reports on protests in Iran, showed demonstrators in Tehran attempting to flip over a police vehicle with smashed windows.

Another video from Tehran showed protesters clashing with a water cannon deployed by riot police as it attempted to disperse demonstrators.

Iran to use subway surveillance cameras to identify and fine women without hijab

“We will fight, we will die, we will take Iran back,” protesters in Tehran chanted in one video shared on Twitter. “Clerics must get lost,” protesters in the capital chanted, in reference to Iran’s theocratic rulers, another video showed.

Protests also broke out in the northeastern city of Mashhad, Khamenei’s birthplace, with demonstrators chanting “death to the Islamic Republic,” footage circulating on Twitter showed.

In the northern city of Rasht, protesters chanted “death to the dictator,” referring to Khamenei, according to a video shared on Twitter.

Albania reports 2nd cyberattack by Iran, on border systems

Another video from Rasht showed security forces running away from protesters.

Al Arabiya English could not independently verify the videos’ authenticity.

Internet blockage observatory NetBlocks reported “a near-total disruption to internet connectivity” in Sanandaj, the provincial capital of Kurdistan province on Friday.

Iranian authorities typically restrict internet access during anti-government protests to stymie demonstrations.

US to intensify its operations against Iranian militias

The protests began after Amini was pronounced dead on Friday. Amini fell into a coma shortly after she was detained by the morality police for not complying with the regime's strict hijab rules in Tehran on September 13.

Tehran’s police said Amini “suddenly had a heart problem” while in detention, and state-run outlets published reports claiming she suffered from multiple health conditions prior to her arrest.

But Amini’s parents have said that their daughter did not have any health problems prior to being detained. Activists say she was beaten while in detention, causing serious injuries that led to her death.

Salman Rushdie attacker: "I respect the ayatollah. I think he’s a great person"

Hijab, which was made mandatory for women in Iran shortly after the country’s 1979 revolution, is considered a red line for Iran’s theocratic rulers. Women who break the strict dress code risk being harassed and arrested by Iran’s morality police.

Based on the dress code, women are required to fully cover their hair in public and wear long, loose-fitting clothes.

Source: alarabiyaenglish

Joe Biden hints at risky policy shift on Taiwan independence Food, climate change, Ukraine in focus at UN General Assembly

BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).

Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.