Mahsa Amini, 22, died on September 16, 2022, three days after she was detained and reportedly beaten by “morality police” for “inappropriate attire”


Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian, who took office last month, has told international journalists that he will stop “morality police” from harassing women over compulsory hijab.

But it is not clear how Pezeshkian can exercise authority to stop the units from accosting, detaining, and even beating women.

The President held his press conference on the second anniversary of the death of Mahsa Amini, 22, who died in custody three days after she was detained and reportedly beaten by morality police in Tehran for “inappropriate attire”.

A female journalist explained to Pezeshkian that she had to take alternative routes to reach the event to avoid the morality police units.

He replied, “Morality police were not supposed to confront [women]. I will follow up so they don’t bother [them].”

In late July, two weeks before Pezeshkian was inaugurated, Arezoo Badri was shot and paralyzed after Iranian police who were attempting to stop her car, which was to be impounded because of her alleged violation of compulsory hijab.

Iranian authorities have said they will use CCTV to identify female drivers who were failing to cover their hair, confiscating their vehicles.

Last October, Armita Geravand, 17, fell into a coma and died after she was accosted by morality police on a Tehran metro.

Women have spoken of being dragged from the streets. Singer Zara Esmaili was detained for performing in public without hijab, and video circulated of a unit attacking two teenagers on Vatanpour Street in northern Tehran.