Iran to resume hijab patrols after protests over custodial death

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Iran has said its morality police will resume patrolling to force women to wear headscarves in public, 10 months after the death of a young woman in custody sparked protests across the country.

The Islamic government on Sunday threatened criminal prosecution for women who refuse to comply with laws requiring them to wear the hijab in public. It marked a change in tone from recent months, when many women began leaving their homes without hijabs or long shirts and enforcement was limited.

In September 2022, Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman, was arrested by the morality police for not properly following the country’s dress code. He died in police custody a few days later.

Iran’s security forces used lethal force to crush the ensuing protests, but analysts believe it has in recent months made an unspoken pact on the hijab, a pillar of clerical rule.

Morality policing largely disappeared from the streets of Iran following Amini’s death, although there was piecemeal enforcement against businesses serving women without the hijab.

Sayed Montazer Al-Mahdi, spokesman for the National Police Force, said on Sunday: “As of today, the police will have no other option but to legally deal with those who are negligent about their dress code and Insists on infringement.

“In case of refusal to obey the police, they (the women) will be referred to the judiciary.”

He said the latest action was aimed at “social solidarity”, “strengthening family foundations” and “responding to public demands” as well as responding to requests from senior leaders, including President Ibrahim Raisi.

It was not immediately clear whether the Islamic republic committed to strictly implement its threat, which could escalate tensions between police and the population. On Sunday, there was a faint glimpse of the morality police on the streets of Tehran.

In busy places such as Tajrish Square, where the force was previously stationed, police were not in evidence and women could be seen without headscarves and barefoot.

The government is now anticipating new demonstrations around the anniversary of Amini’s death, which triggered protests under the banner of “Women, Life, Freedom” and a crackdown that left hundreds dead.

The republic has also imposed unusual penalties in recent weeks on women who break morality laws. A woman from the town of Vramin, whose scarf slipped over her shoulders while driving, was sentenced last week to a month washing dead bodies.

Noted actress Azade Samadi, who attended a funeral wearing a cap instead of a headscarf, was also sentenced on Saturday to attend psychological classes for her “social illness”.

A female customer at a Tehran clothing store on Sunday said: “The Islamic Republic knows it cannot win this war, and women are not afraid of them.”

Protests also took place after Amini’s death as Iran’s economy worsened, partly as a result of US sanctions on its nuclear program. The clothing shopkeeper said: “In the midst of this economic crisis, such announcements (about the morality police) only make people angrier.”