JINHA

NEWS CENTER – Iranian police have killed two in attempts to repress protests in the Kurdish city of Mahabad for Ferinaz, the young Kurdish woman who killed herself to escape rape. Yesterday, police fired on protestors with live ammunition.

Clashes broke out between security forces and local people demanding the disclosure and trial of those responsible for the suicide of Ferinaz Xosrawanî, 26, who worked at Mahabad's Tara Hotel. Ferinaz Xosrawanî jumped from the fourth floor of the hotel to protect herself from a rape attempt, possibly by Iranian security forces.

Protestors set fire to the hotel after 2 people reportedly lost their lives and 27 people were wounded in the crackdown.

ANF news reports that soldiers have been deployed around the city.

Iranian officials, who had remained mum during initial protests, started making statements after the hotel was set on fire by protestors. A statement published on the official page of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani demanded that light be shed on the incident immediately.

(nt/cm)