Iran’s authorities have announced the return of the notorious moral guardians to enforce the headscarf requirement. As of today, units of the responsible morality police are to take action against violators across the country with patrols on foot and in cars, the Isna news agency reported, citing a spokesman for the Iranian police.
After the massive protests in autumn 2022 against the country’s political and religious leadership, the notorious units had disappeared from the streets of the major cities. The demonstrations were triggered by the death of the Iranian Kurd Jina Mahsa Amini. The young woman died in police custody after being arrested for breaking Islamic dress codes.
Iran’s security apparatus brutally suppressed the protests. In recent months, many women have demonstratively ignored the headscarf requirement, also as a sign of silent protest. The state reacted, among other things, with a controversial draft law that is to be voted on in parliament shortly. The law provides new and harsh penalties for violations.
Actor arrested after criticizing headscarf requirement
An actor has been arrested after criticizing the violent enforcement of the headscarf requirement. Mohamad Sadeghi was arrested by the fire brigade at his residence in the capital Tehran, the Tasnim news agency reported. Videos circulated on Twitter are said to show officers breaking into the man’s home during a live recording of Sadeghi for social media. The actor previously released a video in which he criticized the state’s crackdown on women who don’t follow strict dress codes.
