Armita, 16-Year Old Dies After Being Allegedly Attacked By Iranian Morality Police For Not Wearing Headscarf

A tragic incident has come to light from Iran, where a teenage girl, Armita Geravand, has passed away after falling into a coma following an alleged assault by the country's morality police. The incident occurred on 1st October when Armita was reportedly assaulted for not wearing a headscarf. This news has been reported by Iranian state media.

According to a statement from IRNA, the assault resulted in severe brain damage, leading to Armita spending time in a coma before her recent passing. Despite the dedicated efforts of medical staff, her condition was declared "brain dead" earlier this week.

Armita Geravand, a 16-year-old girl, was taken to the hospital with head injuries following the alleged assault at a Tehran metro station. This incident has garnered attention from activists, especially given the backdrop of Iran's already strict hijab rules and the recent passing of even harsher legislation.

In early October, the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, based in Norway and focused on Kurdish rights, reported that Geravand was "assaulted" by morality police, which led to her coma. Another opposition network, IranWire, also noted that she was admitted to the hospital with "head trauma."

The altercation with the morality police officers reportedly began when they asked her to adjust her hijab near the Shohada metro station. The situation escalated, ultimately resulting in the physical assault on Geravand, causing her to collapse, as described by Hengaw staffer Awyer Shekhi.

It's important to note that while these accounts have been widely reported, CNN could not independently verify the information provided by Hengaw and Iranwire. Both organizations have previously covered Iranian protests extensively.

Iranian authorities have refuted the allegations, claiming that Armita Geravand's hospitalization was due to an injury caused by low blood pressure. Family and friends of the deceased have echoed these denials in interviews with state media. However, it's worth noting that UN officials and rights groups have accused Iranian authorities of pressuring families of deceased protesters to provide statements that support the government's narrative.

The tragic incident involving Armita Geravand highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding Iran's strict hijab rules and the enforcement of these regulations by the morality police. Iran's parliament recently passed a "hijab bill" that imposes severe penalties, including up to 10 years in prison, for violations of clothing requirements. This legislation was enacted in the wake of mass protests sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini, a young woman who allegedly died in detention after being detained for not adhering to the conservative dress code.