Death of Mahsa Amini: What’s Happening in Iran?

On 13 September 2022, 22-year-old Mahsa Amini was arrested in Tehran by “morality police” for violating the strict dress code of the Islamic Republic.

On Friday, Iranian officials reported that she died after suffering a "heart attack" and falling into a coma after her arrest, even though she hadn't had a pre-existing heart condition. Iranian police said Amini's death was an "unfortunate incident," and they “had done everything” to keep her alive.

Witnesses claimed that the morality police beat her in the van before taking her to a detention center.

Thousands got out of their homes Tuesday night to protest the death of Amini and the violence of the morality police who have been terrorizing women for decades. Protests ranged from the capital Tehran to more traditionally conservative strongholds like Mashad.

Protesters chanted, "Women, life, freedom, removed and burned their headscarves, destroyed posters of the country's Supreme Leader, shouting, "Death to the dictator."

Five people were fatally shot dead in the protests, and 75 others were injured.

Mahsa’s father said: “She was in perfect health. The person who hit my daughter should be put on trial in a public court, not a fake trial that results in reprimands and expulsions."

Iran’s Hijab Laws

Since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, women have had to apply a mandatory dress code requiring them to wear a headscarf and loose-fitting clothing that disguises their figures in public.

Morality police had been tasked with ensuring women conform with the authorities' interpretation of "proper" clothing.

Ebrahim Raisi took power in 2021. On 15 August, he signed an order enforcing the country's dress code with a new list of restrictions.

In recent months, the morality police have expanded street patrols, subjecting women perceived to be wearing “loose hijab” to verbal and physical harassment and arrest.