Five Killed in Protests Over Death of Iranian Woman in Custody of “Morality Police”

September 19 was the third day of protests following the news that Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish woman, had died while in “morality police” custody.

Credit: Reuters
Credit: Reuters


Iranian security forces have killed five people in protests across the country, according to Hengaw, a human rights watchdog. September 19 was the third day of protests following the news that Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish woman, had died while in “morality police” custody.

Amini was in Tehran when she was detained by police on September 13. According to officials, she had a heart attack, fell into a coma, and died on September 16. Her family asserted she had no medical issues; others have accused the police of beating her.

The local police commander told reporters that Amini was detained for not wearing a permissible hijab. The morality police are tasked with enforcing Iran's social rules, but according to the UN Human Rights Office, police have been targeting women who appear to be wearing a “loose hijab” with harassment and arrest.

Amini’s death has stirred outrage both online and in the streets. The 5 deaths during the protests have not been confirmed by Iran or independently verified by American news outlets.