Tehran/London - Protests were reported late Saturday in several
parts of the Iranian capital Tehran over the shooting down of the
Ukrainian passenger plane by the Iranian military, according to
Iranian media.
Hundreds of people took part in Saturday night protest rallies
outside Tehran, Amir Kabir and Sharif, according to news agencies
IRNA and Isna. They criticized both the shooting down and the
day-long denials by Iranian authorities and the media.
According to Isna, some demonstrators outside Amir Kabir University
called for those responsible for the downing of the airliner to
resign.
Thousands of Iranians posted a black page on social media as a sign
of their grief and as a protest against the government. For them, the
shooting down of the passenger plane does irreparable damage to
Iran's image.
After days of vehement denials, Iran's Revolutionary Guard on
Saturday admitted it mistakenly shot down a Ukraine International
Airlines passenger plane outside Tehran this week, killing all 176
people on board, including 57 Canadians.
US President Donald Trump on Saturday voiced support for
anti-government protests in Iran just days after the two countries
stepped back from an escalated military conflict.
"We are following your protests closely, and are inspired by your
courage," Trump said in a tweet.
"The government of Iran must allow human rights groups to monitor and
report facts from the ground on the ongoing protests by the Iranian
people," Trump said.
"There can not be another massacre of peaceful protesters, nor an
internet shutdown. The world is watching," he added.
Among those taking part in the demonstrations was the UK ambassador,
who was reportedly detained briefly.
In London, UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab accused Iran of a
"flagrant violation of international law" after it briefly detained
the British ambassador during anti-government protests on Saturday in
Teheran.
"The arrest of our ambassador in Teheran without grounds or
explanation is a flagrant violation of international law," Raab said
after reports that ambassador Rob Macaire was detained for more than
one hour.
"The Iranian government is at a crossroads moment," Raab said in a
statement.
"It can continue its march towards pariah status with all the
political and economic isolation that entails, or take steps to
de-escalate tensions and engage in a diplomatic path forwards."