BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 17. Iranian
authorities have detained 50 protest leaders in the northern Gilan
Province amid ongoing nationwide unrest, the province's Police
Chief General Hossein Hasanpour, told reporters, Trend reports.


Speaking to local media, Hasanpour stated that all those who
have taken part in the recent unrest across the country are being
identified and detained.


He added that the total number of people detained in Gilan
Province has exceeded 1,500.


The protests, which began in late December, were largely sparked
by the sharp depreciation of the national currency, rising
inflation, and other economic hardships. While casualty reports
have circulated, the exact figures remain unverified.