Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei appointed a new police commander, telling him to ensure public security after deadly protests swept the country.
Brigadier-General Ahmadreza Radan, formerly head of a police research unit, replaced Hossein Ashtari, who had led the national force for eight years, the state-run Islamic Republic News Agency reported.
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Khamenei urged Radan to “protect the security of the people and secure public welfare” and improve police “capabilities,” according to a statement.
The change follows a crackdown by security forces on nationwide protests that have gripped Iran since Sept. 16, when 22-year-old Mahsa Amini died in police custody following her arrest for wearing allegedly improper clothes under the country’s Islamic law.