Young woman Armita Garavand died on Saturday after spending 28 days in a coma following an incident that sparked controversy over authorities’ handling of a mandatory veil in Iran. The Tehran subway system was cited by state media as the location where she was involved in the events leading to her condition, with IRNA reporting that she was in the capital during the period of crisis.
Iranian authorities said the 16-year-old sustained a head injury after her blood pressure dropped. They maintained that the attack occurred in the capital’s subway, but human rights groups argued that she was not wearing the mandatory Islamic veil. According to IRNA, the brain damage caused by the fall led to the coma, and Garavand died shortly before the report was issued. The government agency also noted that she received extensive medical care during her 28-day stay in a specialized hospital unit.
The official statement reiterated that Garavand’s blood pressure declined while she was entering a subway car on October 1. She reportedly struck her head, experienced a heart attack, suffered reduced brain oxygenation, and developed brain edema. Security footage released by IRNA depicted Garavand and two friends boarding a subway car in the capital, followed by their departure after a confrontation with a third person. Authorities used the footage to argue that no assault had taken place.
Amnesty International has questioned the authenticity of the video, suggesting manipulation. The organization claimed that the released frames appeared to be sped up in several segments and that there were gaps of more than three minutes in the publicly shared recording. Kurdish human rights organizations, including Hengaw based in Oslo, condemned the death, stating that the young woman was attacked for not wearing the mandatory veil. The obligation to cover one’s hair has been in effect in Iran since 1983, a point emphasized by critics amid the broader protests surrounding dress code enforcement.
Mahsa Amini
The situation surrounding Garavand is often compared to the case of Mahsa Amini, a young woman who died nearly a year ago after being detained by the morality police for alleged improper head covering. Iranian authorities attributed Amini’s death to natural causes, but the incident sparked months of strong protests demanding an end to the regime’s enforcement practices. Protests rose to a peak with widespread demonstrations and a significant security response, including arrests and executions reported by human rights groups and independent observers. At least 500 people were reportedly killed and thousands detained, with seven publicly executed protests noted in coverage from the period.
The first anniversary of Amini’s death was observed on September 16, marked by heavy security presence and limited demonstrations. In the months that followed, the government continued efforts to reimpose veil requirements, including street patrols, service denials, and the introduction of tighter penalties for failing to adhere to head covering rules, reflecting a broader push to enforce religious dress codes across the country.