Jina Mahsa Amini’s Uncle Arrested Just Days Before 1-Year Mark of Her Death

Amini's death while in police custody on September 16, 2022, sparked months of nationwide protests in Iran, with many people championing the phrase 'Woman, Life, Freedom' in order to fight back against the mistreatment of women and ethnic groups.

By Kenadee Mangus

Published on 9/8/2023 at 4:39 PM

A protester holds a portrait of Mahsa Amini during a demonstration in support of Amini, a young Iranian woman who died after being arrested in Tehran by the Islamic Republic's morality police, on Istiklal avenue in Istanbul on September 20, 2022. - Amini, 22, was on a visit with her family to the Iranian capital when she was detained on September 13 by the police unit responsible for enforcing Iran's strict dress code for women, including the wearing of the headscarf in public. She was declared dead on September 16 by state television after having spent three days in a coma. (Photo by Ozan KOSE / AFP) (Photo by OZAN KOSE/AFP via Getty Images)
A protester holds a portrait of Mahsa Amini during a demonstration in support of Amini, a young Iranian woman who died after being arrested in Tehran by the Islamic Republic's morality police, on Istiklal avenue in Istanbul on September 20, 2022. - Amini, 22, was on a visit with her family to the Iranian capital when she was detained on September 13 by the police unit responsible for enforcing Iran's strict dress code for women, including the wearing of the headscarf in public. She was declared dead on September 16 by state television after having spent three days in a coma. (Photo by Ozan KOSE / AFP) (Photo by OZAN KOSE/AFP via Getty Images)

Iranian authorities have arrested Safa Aeli, the uncle of Jîna Mahsa Amini, just days before the 1-year mark of her death.

Amini's death while in police custody on September 16, 2022, sparked months of nationwide protests in Iran, with many people championing the phrase 'Woman, Life, Freedom' in order to fight back against the mistreatment of women and ethnic groups.

'A group of security forces went to Amini's uncle Safa Aeli's home yesterday ... searched his car and house without having a court order and then arrested him ... they also confiscated some documents like his passport,' a source close to the family told Reuters. 'Prior to his arrest, Aeli was followed by security forces for a week ... The family does not know where he has been taken.'

The reason for Aeli's detainment is not currently known, but according to Amnesty International, Iranian authorities are cracking down on any potential dissidence ahead of the 1-year mark of Amini's death.

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By KENADEE MANGUS