In Tehran, 22-year-old Mahsa Amini fell into a brain coma after being detained by the country’s morality police on a Tuesday this week. Officials say Amini had worn her headscarf loosely, failing to keep it properly in place, a violation of Iran’s mandatory veiling rules since the founding of the Islamic Republic in 1979. The scene at the time reflected strikingly varied practices among women, with many choosing looser veiling or not fully covering, a sight once seen as a mild divergence from the strictest interpretations of dress code. Even some more moderate officials observed less aggressive enforcement in recent years, yet the policy environment shifted under a new administration toward stricter public policing of dress.
What began as routine policing grew into a broader confrontation over gender norms and state control. The capital has long displayed a spectrum of veiling practices, from full coverage to looser forms, with many women balancing personal choice against legal mandates. Following the presidential win of ultra-conservative Ebrahim Raisi last year, the moral police renewed their emphasis on ensuring women’s attire met the letter of the law, targeting those deemed not to be wearing headscarves properly.
One widely reported incident involved Amini, who was stopped in a busy street and placed into a police vehicle. According to her brother, Kiarash, officers told him she would be taken to a station for a brief “re-education” appointment and released within an hour. He described the moment he arrived at the building to find dozens of people carrying the belongings of women detained inside. Some were freed, while others, including Mahsa, remained inside as a commotion unfolded. Attendants emerged with bats and pepper spray, and an ambulance later departed from the station, signaling that Mahsa remained in danger.
Heart attack
At the hospital, doctors informed Kiarash that his sister had suffered a heart attack. Although medical teams could restart her heart, her brain had ceased to function. He recalled her face as she lay unresponsive, her legs swollen and discolored. He spoke of his resolve to keep the public informed about the case while continuing to advocate for his sister’s rights. Mahsa’s brother described the fear and urgency that accompanied the family during those hours and the sense of being pursued by authorities even while seeking medical care.
In reflecting on the broader social climate, he expressed a mix of anger and sorrow. He acknowledged that many Iranian women face daily pressures when leaving their homes, recognizing that the state’s rules are intertwined with daily life in a way that can feel like a form of occupation. The appeal of unity among women and supporters across the country became a recurring theme in his statements, as he urged people to stand together in pursuit of safety and dignity for everyone.
Experts and observers note that the case has intensified debates about gender policy, civil rights, and state authority in Iran. The public mood is shaped by a long history of protests, counter-protests, and shifts in how dress codes are enforced on the streets. As the nation continues to grapple with questions about personal autonomy, many voices call for a measured, lawful approach to governance that respects human rights while addressing concerns about public decorum. The tragedy has spurred widespread discussion about the safety of citizens in police custody and the responsibilities of authorities to protect those who are detained.