Amini was taken to a police station in Tehran last Tuesday, after which she died of heart problems, according to police. Numerous critics accused the police of beating Amini. According to the next of kin, the woman was healthy and did not have a heart condition. The police deny the charges and speak of an ‘unfortunate incident’.
Protests have been held in Iran since the death. Women show their solidarity with Amini on social media by showing images of their cut hair. A hashtag with the 22-year-old woman’s name went viral on Twitter last weekend. Hundreds of protesters gathered at Tehran University on Sunday. According to videos online, they chanted ‘woman, life, freedom’.
Strict dress codes for women have been in place in Iran since 1979, but they have not been followed by everyone since the early days. The government and hardliners in parliament have been trying to enforce Islamic laws more strictly for months. Iranian human rights activists have been calling on women in recent months to take off their hijab (veil) in public places.
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