The 40-day memorial marking Mahsa Amini’s death took place despite the increased security measures around the country as part of a government crackdown on the nationwide demonstrations.

Large crowds of men and women chanted “death to the dictator” along with “woman, life, freedom” after they gathered at the Aichi cemetery in Mahsa’s home town of Saqqez in the province of Kurdistan in Iran on Wednesday, 26th October, according to reports.

This was after Mahsa’s family allegedly received threats from intelligence agencies in Iran pressuring them to publicly announce that the 40-day commemoration would be cancelled, according to human rights organisation Hengaw.

The organisation went on to state that Ashkan, Mahsa’s brother, would be arrested if the family could not live up to their demands, according to intelligence officials.

A statement that was credited to Mahsa and Ashkan’s family was then released.

The family reportedly cancelled the ceremony to “prevent any unfortunate issues”, according to the alleged statement.

Despite this, another member of Ashkan and Mahsa’s family reportedly rejected these claims by telling London-based Iran International that the family still planned to attend the late 22-year-old’s commemoration ceremony.

Hengaw has now reported that Ashkan was seized by authorities on the eve of the 40-day commemoration, which marks the end of the country’s widely observed traditional mourning period.

The human rights organisation went on to state that Iranian football legends Hamed Lak and Ali Daei, who reportedly travelled to Saqqez to participate in Mahsa’s commemorations, were also taken away by security officials before they were placed in a “government guesthouse.”

In an undated series of videos, 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who died in morality police custody after failing to comply with Iran’s strict hijab rules, can be seen dancing and singing along to a song from her favourite singer, Googoosh, before her tragic death would ignite the nationwide protests in Iran that continue to this day.

Thousands of Iranian protesters and mourners have commemorated 40 days since Mahsa Amini’s death by gathering at her grave as her brother was being seized by the authorities.

The 40-day memorial marking Mahsa Amini’s death took place despite the increased security measures around the country as part of a government crackdown on the nationwide demonstrations.

Large crowds of men and women chanted “death to the dictator” along with “woman, life, freedom” after they gathered at the Aichi cemetery in Mahsa’s home town of Saqqez in the province of Kurdistan in Iran on Wednesday, 26th October, according to reports.

This was after Mahsa’s family allegedly received threats from intelligence agencies in Iran pressuring them to publicly announce that the 40-day commemoration would be cancelled, according to human rights organisation Hengaw.

The organisation went on to state that Ashkan, Mahsa’s brother, would be arrested if the family could not live up to their demands, according to intelligence officials.

A statement that was credited to Mahsa and Ashkan’s family was then released.

The family reportedly cancelled the ceremony to “prevent any unfortunate issues”, according to the alleged statement.

Despite this, another member of Ashkan and Mahsa’s family reportedly rejected these claims by telling London-based Iran International that the family still planned to attend the late 22-year-old’s commemoration ceremony.

Hengaw has now reported that Ashkan was seized by authorities on the eve of the 40-day commemoration, which marks the end of the country’s widely observed traditional mourning period.

The human rights organisation went on to state that Iranian football legends Hamed Lak and Ali Daei, who reportedly travelled to Saqqez to participate in Mahsa’s commemorations, were also taken away by security officials before they were placed in a “government guesthouse.”

In an undated series of videos, 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who died in morality police custody after failing to comply with Iran’s strict hijab rules, can be seen dancing and singing along to a song from her favourite singer, Googoosh, before her tragic death would ignite the nationwide protests in Iran that continue to this day.