Iranian woman flayed 74 times for refusing to wear hijab

Iranian authorities recently administered 74 lashes and imposed a £255 fine on 33-year-old Roya Heshmati for “violating public morals” by refusing to wear a hijab in Tehran streets. As per reports, Heshmati shared her harrowing experience on her now-locked social media page, describing the brutal beating she endured in a dimly lit room reminiscent of a medieval torture chamber. Despite the intense physical punishment, Heshmati remained steadfast, even refusing to wear a headscarf provided by officials in the courtroom. The incident has sparked widespread outrage on social media, prompting influential figures like journalist Abbas Abdi to condemn the excessive measures, emphasising the impact on those aspiring to live with normal freedoms. The judiciary’s Mizan Online website justified Heshmati’s punishment as in accordance with sharia and the law, attributing her actions to encouraging permissiveness in public spaces. The authorities also alleged her connection to an organised group outside Iran, although specific details were not disclosed. The dress code violation, resulting in both whipping and a fine, is a relatively uncommon occurrence in Iran. However, officials have intensified efforts to enforce regulations following anti-government protests in late 2022, ignited by the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Kurd, in custody for breaching the dress code. The protests saw women defiantly discarding or burning their headscarves, leading to an increased crackdown on those challenging the regulations. The Kurdish-focused rights group Hengaw identified Heshmati as a 33-year-old woman of Kurdish origin, arrested in April for sharing a photo on social media without wearing a headscarf. Though initially facing a potential prison sentence, Heshmati’s legal ordeal culminated in the 74 lashes and a fine. The enforcement of the dress code has extended to surveillance cameras in public places to monitor violations and closures of businesses not complying with the regulations. Furthermore, the Iranian parliament is contemplating legislation that would enhance penalties for dress code breaches.