In a tense confrontation, security forces attacked a gathering of individuals who lost their money to the fraud of Rezayat Khodro Taravat Novin, a vehicle leasing company in Qazvin, west of Tehran.
The incident happened on Thursday when victims gathered in front of the governor's office in Qazvin, expressing their grievances over financial losses incurred at the hands of the company.
The victims claim the company embezzled a staggering 300 trillion rials (approximately $600 billion) through schemes for pre-selling cars. For several months, hundreds of people have been staging protests in Tehran, Qazvin, and Takestan, demanding justice and restitution. The nationwide fraud involves at least 38,000 people.
Recent videos show security forces using teargas and water cannons against the protesters. Government forces on several occasions attacked the protests by the victims.
Over the past three months, the Qazvin judiciary has detained managers from Rezayat Khodro Taravat Novin, announcing that all assets belonging to the company's CEOs will be seized.
Mohammadreza Ghaffari, the owner of the company, reportedly moved a portion of the capital abroad. The judiciary says the victims' gatherings are illegal, citing concerns about disturbances in public order.
