A young Iranian girl who fell into a coma earlier this month after an alleged clash with officials over violations of the country’s hijab law is said to be “brain dead,” Iranian state media reported on Sunday.
Right-wing groups such as the Kurdish-Iranian Hengaw were the first to publicize Armita Geravand’s hospitalization, posting photos on social media of the 16-year-old girl unconscious with a breathing tube and a bandage over her head, visible on life support Devices. Portal was unable to verify the images.
“Follow-up investigations into Geravand’s recent health status indicate that her condition of being brain dead appears to be safe despite the efforts of medical staff,” state media reported.
There were fears among human rights activists that Geravand could suffer the same fate as Mahsa Amini, whose death in moral police custody last year sparked months of nationwide anti-government protests that represented one of the boldest challenges to Iran’s clerical rulers. Women take part in a rally marking the first anniversary of the death of Mahsa Amini, which sparked nationwide protests in Istanbul, Turkey, September 16, 2023. (Source: Portal/DILARA SENKAYA)
The Iranian authorities continue their violent attacks
Iran has denied that Geravand was injured following an Oct. 1 confrontation with officers enforcing mandatory Islamic dress codes in the Tehran subway.
Since the overthrow of the secular, Western-backed Shah in a popular revolution in 1979, Iran’s theocratic establishment has imposed restrictions on women’s clothing. Women are required by law to cover their hair and wear long, loose-fitting clothing.
Violators face public censure, fines or arrest. Since Amini’s death, more and more women across the country have appeared uncovered in public places such as malls, restaurants and shops, defying strict Islamic dress codes. Advertising