Iran protesters hacked into the Iran State TV and briefly showed an image of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei surrounded by flames, as clashes between government forces and pro-freedom demonstrators continued.
The protests had thrived amid public outrage over Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian Kurd who died in police custody last month after being imprisoned by Tehran’s morality police for allegedly not wrapping her hair properly.
The Iranian government has attempted to control police crackdowns and pro-government propaganda through state-controlled media outlets, but to no avail.
NPR reported that the hackers broke into the evening news on Iran’s state TV for 15 seconds, just as footage of Ayatollah Khamenei was being broadcast.
An image of the supreme leader surrounded by flames reportedly appeared with a caption that read: “Join us and stand up!” and “The blood of our youth is dripping from your claws.”
According to NPR, a song with the lyrics “Woman. Life. Freedom” — a common chant of the protesters.
A group calling itself Adalat Ali, or Ali’s Justice, claimed responsibility for the hacking, which came as the protests against Iran’s theocratic regime entered a fourth week.
Over the weekend, three people were killed in a clash between Iranian security authorities and the protesters who were not backing down.
Many celebrities including Gigi Hadid have sent out supporting messages, standing in solidarity with the Iranian women to keep fighting till they get justice.
