The Metropolitan Police are hunting over a dozen people over incidents of violent disorder during a protest outside the Iranian embassy on Sunday.
Footage of clashes between protesters and police were uploaded to social media after a large crowd demonstrated at the embassy over the deaths of scores of protesters in Iran following the death of a Kurdish woman in police custody.
London detectives have released 13 images of people they would like to identify in connection with violent disorder near the Iranian Embassy on Sunday, September 25. You can view the images here.
According to eye witnesses the crowd outside the Iranian embassy was at least 1,000 strong. It included secular Iranians, pro-Shah Iranians, LGBT activists, feminists and Kurds, all of whom were pro-regime change.
The investigation started on Sunday night following what police called “unacceptable scenes” which led to Met officers requiring medical attention, with some attending hospital.
Commander Karen Findlay, responsible for the Met’s 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, and we are now doing everything we can to make sure those who committed the violent offences are brought to justice.
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“This begins with identifying those with the blatant intent to cause injury by recklessly throwing items including pieces of masonry and bottles.
“We need the public’s help and support to identify these people. If you recognise anyone from viewing the images, then please come forward and contact us as soon as possible. You can do this anonymously.”
Anyone who recognises any of these people or has any information about them is urged to contact police on 101 or tweet @MetCC and quote “Op Lakselva.” Alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 with any information.
The anti-government demonstrations in Iran have spread to more than 80 cities and towns across Iran since the funeral of Mahsa Amini on September 17.
The 22-year-old Kurdish woman had been visiting the capital, Tehran, on September 13 when she was arrested by morality police officers for allegedly violating the law requiring women to cover their hair with a hijab.
She collapsed after being taken to a detention centre and died in hospital following three days in a coma.
The police said Ms Amini died after suffering sudden heart failure, but her family have dismissed that and alleged that she was beaten by officers.
