Citizens Prevent Arrest of Women for Not Observing Hijab

Citizens in Rasht prevented the arrest of women by police forces due to non-compliance with hijab regulations.

A video circulated on social media showing that last night, Sunday, July 16, a large gathering took place in Rasht Municipality Square where many people gathered to prevent the arrest of women without mandatory hijab by police forces.

Following the resumption of morality patrols in various Iranian cities, public reaction to this issue was sparked, and women without mandatory hijab took to the streets. On Sunday evening, when government officials attempted to arrest three women without headscarves, a large crowd gathered in Municipality Square intervened to prevent the arrest of women by police forces. Police officers clashed with the crowd, using stun grenades and tear gas to disperse the people and create fear among them.

As the atmosphere in Municipality Square became highly tense, people present at the scene began chanting “Death to Khamenei.”

According to a police spokesperson regarding efforts to combat improper hijab, vehicle and foot patrols of police were announced throughout the country aimed at dealing with what is termed “unconventional dress.” Some media outlets interpreted the police spokesperson’s statements as meaning “the return of morality patrols to the streets.”