Iranian student arrested after protest against militia harassment
The incident has sparked a new wave of outrage and backlash both locally and internationally
On Saturday, November 2, a student at the Islamic Azad University in Tehran, possibly identified as Ahou Daryaei, staged a unique protest that culminated in her arrest by Iranian security forces. According to reports from the Amirkabir Newsletter platform, the young woman had faced constant harassment by the Basij paramilitary militia due to her refusal to wear the hijab, a requirement imposed by the country's strict Islamic law.
The incident was triggered when a member of the militia tried to tear off her clothes during an altercation. In response and as an act of protest, the student stripped down to her underwear and walked around the campus of the university's Science and Research Section.
Witnesses report that shortly afterwards, plainclothes security officers intercepted her, beat her and dragged her into a car. According to Amirkabir Newsletter, the young woman was bleeding visibly during the arrest and was later taken to Tehran Psychiatric Hospital.
Amnesty International, through its affiliate Amnesty Iran, condemned the arrest and demanded her immediate and unconditional release. It also called for an independent investigation into the allegations of physical violence during the young woman's detention.
The situation is reminiscent of the tragic death of Jina (Mahsa) Amini in 2022, who was arrested for not complying with the dress code and whose death sparked a wave of protests in favor of Iranian women's rights and the slogan "Jin, Jiyan, Azadî" (Woman, Life, Freedom).
For its part, the Iranian agency Fars reported that the student was wearing "inappropriate" clothing and stated that the security agents spoke to her "calmly" before the incident, denying any aggressiveness in their behavior.
However, the version spread by witnesses and human rights groups contradicts this statement, underlining the seriousness of the situation and the disproportionate use of force by the authorities.
More details and reactions are expected to emerge in the coming days on this case that once again highlights tensions over the application of strict dress codes in Iran and the role of women in the fight for their rights.