Death in custody of Mahsa Amini must be probed: Iran president Ebrahim Raisi

The president of Iran, Ebrahim Raisi, has stated that the murder of a Kurdish woman in jail in Iran that sparked large protests must be "steadfastly" examined. He also lamented what he called the west's "double standards" on human rights. At a news conference outside the UN general assembly in New York, Ebrahim Raisi stated that Mahsa Amini's death while in the morality police of Iran "must unquestionably be probed." “I contacted her family at the very first opportunity and I assured them we would continue steadfastly to investigate that incident … Our utmost preoccupation is the safeguarding of the rights of every citizen.” But he said: “If her death was due to negligence, it will definitely be investigated, and I promise to follow up on the issue regardless of whether the international forums take a stand or not.” By citing claims that officers struck Amini's head with a baton and slammed her head on one of their vehicles, protesters dispute the state's findings. Rights organizations estimate that at least 36 people perished during the six days of protests that followed the death of the 22-year-old Kurdish woman on September 16. In an effort to quell a rising protest movement, protestors set fire to police stations and vehicles on Thursday. Iran also cut off the internet in some areas of Tehran and Kurdistan and barred access to websites like Instagram and WhatsApp. Iranian ladies have chopped their hair and burned their headscarves on the internet and in the streets.