Iran to ‘Firmly Punish’ Country’s Hijab Violators

Iran judiciary order police to ‘firmly punish’ violators of hijab law.

Since the death in detention on September 16 of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old ethnic Kurd who was arrested in Tehran for allegedly breaking the law, protests have broken out across Iran.

The morality police unit enforcing the hijab laws has been less noticeable since the start of the protests, and women have taken to the streets without the hijabs as required.

The police have warned that women must wear headscarves even in cars, signaling a reduction in tolerance from the government since the beginning of the year.

According to a report from the Mehr news agency on Tuesday, the prosecutor general has issued a directive ordering the police to “firmly punish any hijab infractions.”

It described the judiciary as saying that courts “must sentence the violators to further penalties, such as exile, prohibitions on practicing specific professions, and closing workplaces, in addition to the fines.”

In response to the demonstrations started by Amini’s passing while in the care of the morality police, Iran has killed four people. Six people have been given retrials, and another 13 have received death sentences.

Authorities claim thousands have been detained in connection with the protests, which they commonly refer to as “riots,” and hundreds of people, including security officers, have been killed.

The judiciary has recently shut down several cafes and eateries for serving women without heads.