Protesters and police clash outside Iranian embassy in London

Protesters and police have clashed outside the Iranian embassy in London, with some chanting “Death to the Islamic Republic”.

Dozens of demonstrators gathered in Knightsbridge on Sunday afternoon to protest against the Iranian regime after the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody.

The Met Police said five officers were seriously injured and 12 people were arrested in violent scenes outside the embassy.

Earlier, her cousin told Sky News that she was “tortured and insulted” before she died after being arrested for allegedly wearing her hijab too loosely.

Protests have broken out across Iran in the days after her death, with women burning hijabs and cutting their hair in the streets.

In London, angry protesters shouted and pushed against officers who had formed a line in front of the embassy.

Crowds waved Iran’s former national flag from before 1979 and footage shared online also showed violent altercations breaking out.

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One clip shows two officers wrestling a protester to the ground who appeared to have broken through the police line.

Elsewhere, riot police tried to clear protesters off the road near Marble Arch.

Scotland Yard said: “While the majority of those who attended the embassy on Sunday continued to act responsibly, a significant group who arrived actively sought to confront officers and protesters from groups they were not in agreement with.”

The force said disorder initially broke out in the immediate vicinity of the embassy before moving to Marble Arch and then to Maida Vale where the Islamic Centre of England was targeted.

Commander Karen Findlay said: “We respect the right of people to protest peacefully and always work with organisers to make that possible, but we will not tolerate unprovoked attacks on our officers as we have seen today or protest that leaves other communities feeling unsafe.

“We have officers in hospital tonight because they were attacked in what was a significant outbreak of violent disorder. We will make sure they get the support they need.

“We have already made a number of arrests, but we know there are people who were not caught tonight who committed serious offences.”

Twelve people have been arrested on suspicion of violent disorder, the force said.

Earlier, Iran’s foreign ministry said it had summoned Britain’s ambassador over what it described as a hostile atmosphere created by London-based Farsi language media outlets.

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