Demonstrators and police officers injured as Iran embassy protests escalate further

Protests at the Iranian embassy in South Kensington escalated again from Friday 16th to Sunday 18th, with large crowds gathering on Exhibition Road and Met Police issuing multiple arrests.

The demonstrations took place against a backdrop of continued brutality and killings of protesters in Iran by the country’s theocratic regime. Whilst a widely-cited human rights agency recorded a death toll of 4,900 people as of Wednesday 21st January, sources from inside Iran are referencing a figure as large as 20,000.

The country has faced a near-total internet shutdown imposed by authorities since 8th January.

14 people were arrested on Friday 16th January, for charges including violent disorder, possession of an offensive weapon, assault of an emergency worker, criminal damage, and trespass on diplomatic premises. A demonstrator scaled the London embassy’s balcony to remove the Iranian flag, mirroring events that unfolded last week.

A dispersal order was issued by the Met Police in response, banning the use of amplified equipment and preventing crowds from gathering on the scene after 7 PM.

In a statement, the Met said: “Officers were faced with violence from protesters, after a group attempted to block the lawful arrest of a man for removing a flag.”

“A number of people resisted arrest and subjected police to abuse, with some officers also physically assaulted. Four officers required medical treatment as a result.”

First-year Imperial bioengineering student Pradeep Rajagopal witnessed the scenes on Friday. He described a crowd of roughly 80 protesters, with some waving posters of Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei crossed out in red, as well as the Iranian opposition’s Lion and Sun flags, American flags, and Israeli flags.

A British-Iranian Imperial student, who chose to remain anonymous, told Felix that rumours of violence against demonstrators by Met Police at Friday’s protests were circulating on social media and WhatsApp groups.

One particular message on a group chat of Iranian students read: “Just in case anyone’s planning on going to embassy in the next few nights, be careful. I know last week the police were very nonchalant, but it’s not the same case apparently based on the videos from last night. Stay safe.”

Footage published by media outlets shows clashes between Met police officers and protesters on Exhibition Road on Friday 16th January, with some officers striking demonstrators with batons and some demonstrators seen with bleeding wounds.

“The Iranian community will continue to ask for justice and foreign intervention to stop the brutality and massacres happening inside the country, in the hopes of a brighter future for our people,” the student said.

As of Thursday 22nd January, a heightened police presence and a large cordoned-off area remains outside the South Kensington embassy.

London is not the only city witnessing largescale protests in solidarity with the Iranian people. Demonstrators have taken to the streets in major cities around the world, with notably vast crowds of protesters braving wintry conditions in Toronto and Cologne, in recent days.

Imperial’s regularly updated Alerts page reads: “Please be aware that daily protests are currently taking place outside the Iranian embassy in South Kensington, 16 Princes Gate, which are drawing large crowds.

“For colleagues working from South Kensington Campus, please consider how this may impact your journey to and from work.

“You may notice an increased police presence in the area – this is precautionary, and the Security and Community Safety team are in contact with the police and other local institutions. If you have any questions or concerns, you can call the team or contact them via SafeZone in case of emergency.”