The Islamic Republic marked the 44th anniversary of the Iranian revolution on Saturday with state-organized rallies, as anti-government hackers briefly interrupted a televised speech by President Ebrahim Raisi.
Raisi, whose hardline government faces one of the boldest challenges from young protesters calling for its ouster, appealed to the "deceived youth" to repent so they can be pardoned by Iran's supreme leader.
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His live televised speech was interrupted on the internet for about a minute, with a logo appearing on the screen of a group of anti-Iranian government hackers that goes by the name of "Edalate Ali (Justice of Ali). A voice shouted "Death to the Islamic Republic."
On the anniversary's eve Friday night, state media showed fireworks as part of government-sponsored celebrations, and people chanted "Allahu Akbar! (God is Greatest!)". However, many could be heard shouting "Death to the dictator!" and "Death to the Islamic Republic" in videos posted on social media.
Nationwide protests swept Iran following the death in September of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in the custody of the country's morality police.
Security forces have responded with a deadly crackdown on the protests, among the strongest challenges to the Islamic Republic since the 1979 revolution ended 2,500 years of monarchy.
On Sunday, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issued an amnesty covering a large number of prisoners, including some arrested in recent anti-government protests.
Rights group HRANA said dozens of political prisoners and protesters, including several prominent figures, had been freed under the amnesty but that the exact conditions of their release were not known.
Rights activists have expressed concern on social media that many may have been forced to sign pledges not to repeat their "offenses" before being released. The judiciary denied this on Friday.
Government television on Saturday aired live footage of the state rallies around the country. In Tehran, domestic-made anti-ballistic missiles, a drone, an anti-submarine cruiser, and other military equipment were on display as part of the celebrations.
"People have realized that the enemy's problem is not woman, life, or freedom," Raisi said in a live televised speech at Tehran's Azadi Square, referring to the protesters' signature slogan.
"Rather, they want to take our independence," he said.
His speech was frequently interrupted by chants of "Death to America" - a trademark slogan at state rallies. The crowd also chanted "Death to Israel."
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