Demonstrators took to the streets Saturday in Tehran to protest the Iranian government's actions that brought to the downing of a Ukrainian airliner and the death of its 176 passengers and crew.
After days of denials, the Iranian regime admitted a missile fired by mistake shot the plane down Wednesday.
Ukraine International Airlines flight PS752, en route to Kyiv, came down near Imam Khomeini Airport in Tehran shortly after take-off. Victims included dozens of Iranians and Canadians, as well as nationals from Ukraine, the UK, Afghanistan and Germany.
The demonstrators called for the resignation of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei chanting "death to the dictator" and "down with the lying regime" and "we want freedom."
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Iranian anti-government demonstration in Tehran following the downing of Ukraine airliner
There were several demonstrations around the country the largest among them near the Amir Kabir University in Tehran where according to Iranian opposition sources, thousands participated.
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Iranian anti-government demonstration in Tehran following downing of Ukraine airliner
Dr. Raz Zimmt, an Iran expert at the Tel Aviv University thinktank INSS said thee demonstration in the capital demonstrates the growing public criticism of the handling of the event by the regime and the perceived attempts to clear the Revolutionary Guard Corps from any responsibility.
Earlier in the day, General Amir-Ali Hajizadeh, Commander of the Revolutionary Guard's Aerospace Force, had accepted "all responsibility" and said he wished he had died when he heard about his force's responsibility for the tragedy, official IRNA news agency reported.