TEHRAN – Police Chief Brigadier General Hossein Ashtari has rejected claims that police forces shot dead a number of protesters in the recent unrest, saying none of the police units were armed with assault rifles.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, General Ashtari said police did not lose any forces in the riots, but many of the forces have been wounded, Tasnim reported.

He also said many of those arrested during the recent unrest on charges of involvement in riots have been released but their cases are still being investigated.

MH/PA