The Death Of A 22-year-old Girl With A Big Demonstration In Iran: President Of Family Phone Raisi, Pledge Investigation

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi at the 2022 UN General Assembly. (Twitter/@Iran_GOV)

JAKARTA - Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said the death of a young woman arrested by the country's moral police would be thoroughly investigated.

Mahsa Amini, 22, of Iran's western Kurdistan province, fell into a coma after being detained in Tehran last week for violating the strict dress code for women, where they had to cover their hair.

His death was announced on September 17, sparking protests across the country. Human rights groups on Friday reported at least 36 people were killed in clashes between authorities and demonstrators.

"I contacted his family on the first occasion and I assure them we will continue to investigate incidents," President Raisi said on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.

"Our main concern is to protect the rights of every citizen," he said.

President Raisi said responsibility is now in court, with the authorities doing everything necessary.

Separately, Iranian soldiers warned on Friday they would "face the enemy" to ensure security and peace in the country, saying: "This desperate act is part of an enemy's evil strategy to undermine the government."

The demonstrators, mostly women, burned police stations and vehicles during protests in several Iranian cities, as the government closed the internet in parts of Tehran and the Kurdistan region.

Videos circulating on social media showed women burning headscarves and cutting their hair, dancing arounddoves on the streets.

Security forces were seen firing tear gas and water cannon, to disperse protesters as they chanted 'death to the dictator'

The scope of the riots remains unclear, but protests appear to be the widest since demonstrations caused by price increases in late 2019.