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LONDON ERUPTS: Number of police injured as anti-Iranian protests condemning death of Mahsa Amini turn violent

'We have officers in hospital tonight because they were attacked in what was a significant outbreak of violent disorder,' Commander Karen Findlay said

LONDON, UK: Demonstrations in London over the custodial death of the 22-year-old Iranian woman Mahsa Amini have reportedly turned violent. Multiple police officers were wounded in clashes. Five cops have even landed in the hospital because of critical injuries, like broken bones, while a number of people have been taken into custody for alleged violent disorder.

Mahsa Amini died on September 16 after she was arrested for not wearing her hijab as tightly as dictated by strict Iranian law. Her death reportedly happened because of police torture and has triggered protests from across Iran as well as in several countries around the world, including the UK. In Britain's capital, protestors have called for the abolishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran, The Daily Mail reported.

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On Sunday, September 25, Scotland Yard claimed that demonstrators turned violent near the Iranian embassy in London. The chaos also spread to Marble Arch and Maida Vale, and as a result, a Section 35 dispersal order was put in place. Commander Karen Findlay said, “We respect the right of people to protest peacefully and always work with organisers to make that possible, but we will not tolerate unprovoked attacks on our officers as we have seen today or protest that leaves other communities feeling unsafe.”

Findlay continued, “We have officers in hospital tonight because they were attacked in what was a significant outbreak of violent disorder. We will make sure they get the support they need. We have already made a number of arrests, but we know there are people who were not caught tonight who committed serious offences,” before adding, “In the coming days, we will be using all the tools at our disposal - including CCTV and other footage - to identify those people and bring them to justice.”

The Met Police also released a statement after the violence and noted, “During the afternoon of Sunday, 25 September a large number of protesters gathered at the location, with a substantial group intent on causing disorder. Further police resources were brought in to support those on the ground after protesters attempted to breach police lines and had thrown missiles at officers.”

“Five arrests have been made for offences including violent disorder. A significant policing presence will remain in and around the area to monitor the situation,” the Met Police added.

This comes after Amini’s cousin, Erfan Mortezaei, has come forward and accused Iran's morality police of killing her. Mortezaei told Sky News that his cousin was shopping with other family members, including her brother Ashkan, in Tehran when she was arrested. He said: “Ashkan tried to explain to them they were not in their home city, and were strangers in Tehran, so please take that into consideration and pleaded not to be taken away.”

“In the struggle the police officers pepper-sprayed Ashkan in the face and forced Mahsa into the van and take her to the morality police station. During the journey to the police station she was tortured and insulted,” the relative of Amini claimed.

He also went on to explain that by the time the victim reached the police station, her condition worsen. Sky News citing Mortezaei reported, “it took 30 minutes for ambulance workers to reach her and an hour and a half before she got to hospital.” The cousin added: “There is a report from Kasra hospital [in Tehran] that says effectively by the time she reached the hospital she was already dead from a medical point of view. She suffered a concussion from a blow to the head.”