Months-old video from Greece falsely linked to Iran demonstrations
- Published on January 14, 2026 at 10:04
- 2 min read
- By Chayanit ITTHIPONGMAETEE, AFP Thailand
As Iranians took to the streets in defiance of a crackdown on a swelling protest movement, a months-old video was shared in posts falsely claiming it showed demonstrations in the Islamic republic. The footage of individuals hurling Molotov cocktails was in fact filmed in Greece in November 2025.
The video of cars surrounded by flames as individuals hurl Molotov cocktails was shared in a Facebook post from January 10, 2026.
"Latest news: About 1.5-1.85 million Iranians are fighting on the streets tonight," reads part of the Thai-language post. "At this stage, the revolution has spread to 180 cities in 31 provinces."
It circulated as Iranians took to the streets in successive nights of mass protests sparked by anger over the rising cost of living, with growing calls for the end of the clerical system that has ruled Iran since the 1979 Islamic revolution (archived link).
International outrage has built over a crackdown on the demonstrations, which a rights group said has likely killed thousands (archived link).
Norway-based NGO Iran Human Rights said it had confirmed 734 people killed during the protests, including nine minors, but warned the death toll was likely far higher.
The same video was also shared in similar posts in Thai, Chinese and Hindi.
The circulating video, however, does not depict a protest in Iran.
A reverse image search on Google using keyframes from the falsely shared video led to the same footage posted on Instagram by Greece's Ta Nea newspaper on November 3, 2025 (archived link)
Its caption says the video shows violent clashes in the port town of Thessaloniki after a concert. Police made 18 arrests, it said.
Greek daily Kathimerini and video agency Newsflare also published photos and videos of the clash taken from different angles (archived here and here).
Their reports said the clashes broke out near the Turkish Consulate in the early hours of November 2, 2025 following a concert by a Greek rapper. Hundreds of masked youths reportedly attacked police units and hurled Molotov cocktails with police responding with tear gas.
Elements of the video correspond to Google Street View imagery of streets near to the consulate (archived link).
AFP has previously debunked other false posts that misrepresented protest footage.
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