According to two prominent rights activists who spoke to Reuters on Wednesday, a teenage girl from Iran is currently in a critical condition in the hospital. They claim that she fell into a coma after an altercation with agents in the Tehran metro due to violating the hijab law.
The situation surrounding Armita Geravand’s case is extremely delicate and sensitive. There are concerns that the 16-year-old might suffer a similar fate as Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman who tragically passed away in a coma last year while in the custody of morality police. This incident last year sparked months of nationwide protest.
Authorities have refuted allegations made by rights groups that Geravand fell into a coma after a confrontation with officers enforcing the Islamic dress code. However, an Iranian-Kurdish rights group called Hengaw shared a photo of her unconscious at a Tehran hospital, where she was taken after the incident.
As of now, the interior ministry of Iran has not provided any immediate response to a request for comment regarding the incident.
One of the activists in Iran mentioned that they are closely monitoring Geravand’s case. She is currently in a coma and being treated at the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital, with her condition reported as critical. According to her relatives, there is a noticeable presence of plain clothes individuals at the hospital.
According to another activist, security forces have barred Geravand’s parents from sharing her photo on social media or engaging with human rights organizations. The activists spoke anonymously to protect the delicacy of the situation.
IRNA released CCTV footage where Geravand, without wearing the mandatory hijab, can be seen walking towards the train with two female companions from the metro platform. As they enter the cabin, one of the girls suddenly retreats and reaches for the ground, while another is forcibly carried out unconscious by fellow passengers.
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