An Iranian teenage girl, who was left in a coma earlier this month after an alleged encounter with authorities over violations of the country’s hijab law, is reportedly in a “brain-dead” condition, Iranian officials said on Sunday. State media had reported.
The situation was initially publicized by human rights groups such as the Kurdish-Iranian Hangaw, who shared photos of the 16-year-old girl on social media. The photos showed her unconscious, connected to a breathing tube and with her head bandaged, suggesting she was on life support.
reuters was unable to independently confirm the authenticity of these images.
According to state media, Geravand’s latest health assessment shows that despite the dedicated efforts of the medical staff, unfortunately, he is brain-dead.
The situation has raised concerns among human rights advocates, with parallels being drawn to the fate of Mahsa Amini, whose death in the custody of morality police last year sparked anti-government protests across the country, leading to protests against Iran’s clerical rulers. An important challenge has arisen for.
Iranian authorities have denied any harm to Gervand following a dispute with officials on 1 October regarding the enforcement of the mandatory Islamic dress code within the Tehran Metro.
Since the popular revolution in 1979 that ousted the secular and Western-backed Shah from power, Iran’s religious establishment has imposed strict rules on women’s dress. Women are legally required to cover their hair and wear long, loose-fitting clothes.
Violations of these dress code rules may result in a public warning, fine, or even arrest. In the wake of Amini’s tragic death, more women are flouting the strict Islamic dress code in public, appearing at various public places such as malls, restaurants and shops across the country.
