Iran spokesman says protesters took police officers hostage
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Iran's government spokesman is saying that violent protests over government-set gas prices took police and security personnel hostage.
Ali Rabiei did not elaborate during remarks to journalists Monday, though the acknowledgment shows the level of unrest gripping Iran since Friday.
Rabiei says the government should soon unblock internet access across the country, and estimates attendance in demonstrations has dropped by 80% compared to the day before. Security forces have deployed heavily in many cities and towns to try to put down the unrest.
