Iran: Controversy Over the Death of Woman Arrested by Morality Police

Rabat-Iran’s harsh regulation of women’s bodies continues to ignite widespread outrage in the country as this past Friday marked the passing of a young woman who had gone into a coma earlier in the week after being detained and allegedly beaten by the morality police for wearing an “improper hijab.’’

Shortly after being arrested and detained in Tehran by the Morality Police, 22-years-old Mahsa Amini fell into a coma and died on September 16, according to converging reports.

The young woman, originally from Saqqez, Kurdistan, was visiting Tehran with her relatives when she was arrested by the morality police responsible for enforcing Iran’s strict dress regulations for women, including the obligation to cover their hair.

Iran’s state media broadcasted video footage suggesting Amini collapsed unexpectedly and suffered from a heart attack while being held in Tehran’s detention center.

But activists and human rights organizations have questioned this narrative, arguing the young women’s arresting officers should be held accountable for death. According to the Kurdistan Human Rights Network, Mahsa Amini was tortured and beaten by the morality police on the way to the detention facility.

A source told the KHRN that Amini’s family “were exposed to intense pressure and threats from security agencies because they had contacted international media and rights organizations.’’

Prior to Amini’s death, Iranian president Ebrahim Raissi ordered the Minister of Interior to investigate the details regarding the case.

Mahsa Amini’s body has been transferred to her hometown Saqqez and is being prepared for burial. According to videos uploaded on Twitter, a huge crowd of people gathered at the cemetery earlier today, chanting the “Death to Dictator” slogan.

Amnesty Iran has tweeted that the circumstances leading to the 22-year-old young woman’s suspicious death in custody, which include allegations of torture and other ill-treatment in custody, should be criminally investigated.

The incident comes amid rising outrage in Iran over the use of facial recognition technology to enforce strict hijab restrictions. Recently, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi urged that the country’s existing laws governing women’s attire be strengthened.