Justice for Mahsa Amini in Iran

Mahsa Amini The 22-year-old woman was arrested by Iran's so-called "special morality police" on Tuesday, September 12. Three days later, she suffered a heart attack at the police station, which led to a coma until she finally died. Among other acts of protest, Iranian women are cutting their hair and burning their veils in response to what they consider a murder.

Amini was visiting the Iranian capital with her family and, because she was not wearing her mandatory veil properly, she was arrested by the special police unit for morality, which is in charge of enforcing the strict dress rules imposed on Iranian women, such as the obligation to cover their hair.

Iranian security forces used tear gas on Saturday to disperse a demonstration over the death of Masha Amini. Her funeral in Saqqez, in Iranian Kurdistan, sparked a peaceful protest outside the governor's offices, which police suppressed.

Tehran police stated in a press release that Amini had been detained along with other women to receive explanations and instructions regarding the dress code. "Suddenly, she suffered a heart attack and was immediately taken to Kasra Hospital" in the Iranian capital.

Police confirmed the death in a statement, emphasizing that there was no physical contact between the officers and the woman. “Mahsa Amini, along with several other people, was taken to one of the police headquarters for wearing inappropriate clothing, but she suddenly collapsed while in a meeting room with others,” the police stated.

“This is the real Iran. Security forces in Saqqez, Iran, opened fire on peaceful protesters following the burial of Mahsa Amini,” said Iranian journalist Masih Alinejad. She added, “Several protesters were injured. First, hijab-clad police killed a 22-year-old woman, and now they are using weapons and tear gas against mourners.”