Tehran, Jul. 08 – Tensions increased at Tehran’s grand Bazaar on Wednesday after a respected merchant was stabbed to death, allegedly by pro-government supporters, on the second day of a major strike.
Azizollah Kashani, 68, died of his wounds in hospital after being stabbed several times by plainclothes agents who, along with State Security Forces, attacked shopkeepers in a bid to intimidate them into opening their stalls.
The bazaaris refused orders to reopen. In several skirmishes, merchants chanted ”death to the dictator” in reference to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, according to eyewitnesses.
State Security forces have blocked all streets leading to the Bazaar, including Pamenar and 15th of Khordad streets.
Separately in the north-western city of Tabriz, merchants at the central bazaar held a strike in solidarity with shopkeepers in the capital.