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London Police Release Images of Wanted People After Violent Scenes at Anti-Islamic Republic Rally

September 28, 2022

2 min read

Police have released images of 13 men wanted in connection with violence at a rally in Iran last week

Altercations broke out in the crowd, most of whom were there to support pro-democracy protests in Iran

Some people were said to have thrown "projectiles" and injured police officers protecting the Iranian Embassy

London’s Metropolitan Police have released 13 images of people they are trying to identify after violence broke out at a protest in the capital on Sunday in support of the pro-democracy movement in Iran.

Hundreds of people gathered in Trafalgar Square in the British capital at the weekend, chanting “Death to the Islamic Republic” and carrying placards bearing the image of Mahsa Amini.

Some then moved to the Iranian Embassy to continue the protest, which took place as Iran was moving into its eleventh consecutive night of demonstrations.

Most of the protesters were peaceful in support of the Iranian people’s demands for an end to religious dictatorship in their country.

But some violent altercations took place between people in the crowd, and other angry protesters tried to storm the Iranian Embassy, held back by police.

Separately in London’s Maida Vale, a man climbed onto the roof of the Islamic Centre of England – a “cultural center” owned by the Islamic Republic run by the Supreme Leader’s representative in London – and held aloft the lion and sun flag.

In the aftermath on Tuesday, detectives released a series of photos of people they were seeking in connection with “violent disorder”.

In a statement, the Met said there had been some “unacceptable scenes” which had led to police officers requiring medical attention, some even hospital treatment.

Commander Karen Findlay of the public order crime team said: “Everyone who plans and seeks to lawfully protest, and communities in the vicinity of such protest, deserve to feel safe.

“Nobody should be faced with the escalation of disorder we saw on Sunday. We won’t tolerate members of the public, or officers who are doing all they can to maintain and regain order, being injured in any circumstance.

“We are now doing everything we can to make sure those who committed the violent offences are brought to justice.

“This begins with identifying those with the blatant intent to cause injury by recklessly throwing items including pieces of masonry and bottles.”

Anyone who thinks they may recognise the people in the published images is being asked to contact the Metropolitan Police. They can also do so anonymously via the UK’s Crimestoppers service.