Peaceful protesters turn violent following the arrival of Special Guards

Kurdpa: The peaceful protest in front of ‘Hotel Tara’ in Mahabad, condemning the suspicious death of ‘Farinaz Khosrovani’ turned violence following the arrival of special anti-riot forces.

The protest was organized by activists inside the city and internet users across the globe. It was in response to the death of a young Kurdish woman who had embraced death to escape rape, allegedly by the hands of a government official that had connections with tourism officials.

On May 4, 2015, Farinaz Khosrowani, an employee of the four– star Hotel Tara in Mahabad jumped out of one of the hotel’s windows. She escaped her rapist, an agent and collaborator of the intelligence ministry.

There are rumors that the hotel owner had intentionally placed Farinaz in the room to be raped by this apparently well-connected agent and in return the owner was promised a fifth star for the hotel.

The protesters demanded the arrest of the perpetrators of this crime, as well as, justice for Farinaz.

Special riot forces and special guards were called to disperse the demonstration. They fired live ammunition and tear gas into the protesters, resulting in the death of one person and the injury of a dozen other protesters, though not confirmed yet.

Through local sources Kurdpa has learned of the identity of one of the injured protesters as “Khalid Daryanoosh”.

According to our sources, security officials have taken away the owner of the hotel, Nade Moloudi, raising further suspicions among the protesters that he is being protected by security agencies.

The pictures and videos that went viral on social media show a large crowd had gathered in front of the hotel and smoke rising from the building.

There is still unrest across the city and there is indication it may continue into tomorrow and spread to other Kurdish cities, as well.

Farinaz, a 25 year old computer engineering graduate, was an employee at Hotel Tara and reports confirm that she killed herself to preserve her ‘honour’ and avoid rape by the hands of a government stooge.

Writing by Kurdpa Staff Writers and editing by Sharmin Hassaniani.