Woman, 22, Dies Days After Arrest By 'Morality Police' Over Hijab In Iran

Mahsa Amini

Mahsa Amini, 22, was visiting relatives with her family in the capital city Tehran when she was stopped by Iranian morality police for not wearing her hijab 'properly' and lost her life after being allegedly beaten in custody.

A young woman who was reportedly beaten into a coma by Iran's so-called morality police for not wearing her headscarf "properly" has died, according to reports.

Mahsa Amini, 22, was visiting relatives with her family in the capital Tehran on Tuesday evening when she was stopped by officers.

Despite her brother protesting her arrest, the police said that they would take her to Vozara Street Detention Centre to take lessons in "modesty" and was to be released an hour later. Iran has tough laws on women covering their hair and dress. 

In the detention centre, she was beaten to the point in which she had symptoms that resembled concussion, according to Iran International.

Amini's heart is now not functioning properly and her kidneys have failed, her uncle told Iranian media.

Later on Friday, state TV announced the death of the woman in a case which has shocked Iran.

"Unfortunately, she died and her body was transferred to the medical examiner's office," state television reported.

Earlier, hardliner President Ebrahim Raisi ordered the interior minister to open an inquiry into the case.

Several lawmakers said they would raise the case in parliament while the judiciary said it would form a special task force to investigate.

Iran's police deny that she was beaten and told Iranian media that Amini suffered a heart attack in detention but the force has a notorious reputation of ill-treatment of detainees and torture.

Wearing the hijab and modest clothing became mandatory for women and girls over the age of nine in Iran, following the Islamic Revolution of 1979, but the level of implementation depends on the ruling government.

It could’ve been me, It could’ve been you, It could’ve been any of us…#????_?????#Mahsa_Amini #MahsaAmini pic.twitter.com/nadnMFa2mJ

— Shadi (@Queenshadii) September 15, 2022

Hardline President Ebrahim Raisi maintained the importance of the hijab law and branded opposition to it as a systematic attempt to corrupt Islamic society.

Measures in adherence to hijab laws have since become stricter. In July, the deputy prosecutor of Mashhad in northeast Iran banned women from attending offices and banks or using the metro if they do not wear the hijab.

Women have regularly been targeted by the republic's morality police, known as Gasht-e Ershad, for showing hair in public or for "improperly" wearing the hijab.