The Iranian prosecutor general has announced the suspension of the country’s morality police as the nation’s demonstrations enter its third month.
Shortly after the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who a morality police unit in Tehran had detained, demonstrations broke out across the country. Amini was accused of violating Iran’s strict dress code for women.
Prosecutor General Mohammad Jafar Montazeri was quoted by local media on Saturday as saying that morality police operations are over. Montazeri made these remarks at an event on “outlining the hybrid war during recent riots,” which is how Iranian officials describe the alleged foreign influence in the unrest.
Reportedly responding to a query on why the morality police have been disbanded, he remarked, “The morality police ‘has no connection with the judiciary and was shut down by the same place that it had been launched from in the past”.
Nothing further has been found to confirm that the patrolling troops, whose ostensible duty it was to maintain “moral security” in the community, are no longer doing so. Similarly, Montazeri did not declare the dissolution of the morality police for all time
And there were also no signs that the law enforcing the strict clothing code would be changed.
Previously, the troops might be seen driving around in white and green vans, asking women on the street to correct their headscarves or, if necessary, bringing them to so-called “re-education” centers. However, these vans have not been spotted in Tehran or cities.
According to surveillance footage made public by the authorities, Amini had a stroke while visiting one of these facilities. She was in a coma for three days before passing away at a local hospital.
According to the coroner’s report, she died from natural causes, but her loved ones are convinced she was battered to death.
Protests erupted after Amini’s death, and her name and image have been widely utilized both inside and outside the country. In acts of defiance and unity, several women have also burned their veils and shaved their heads. The protesters’ chant of “Woman, life, freedom” has become an international rallying cry.
The Iranian government claims the United States, Israel, European countries, and Saudi Arabia are behind the ongoing unrest and are using Amini’s killing as a “excuse” to attack the country and its institutions.
Authorities in Iran have made it clear they will not budge on the subject of the hijab, which has been mandated since immediately after the Islamic revolution of 1979.
However, they have recently hinted that the implementation of the necessary clothing requirements may be changed, without providing specifics.
Several local officials have made hints at the possibility of utilizing AI or surveillance footage to fine those who they believe are breaking the law.
Repeat offenders may have their vehicles seized after receiving warnings and fines for violating the hijab rules.
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