Iran arrests student who stripped naked to protest dress code

Iranian authorities has arrested a female student who stripped to her underwear in protest at Tehran’s Islamic Azad University.

The incident reportedly began when members of the Basij paramilitary force confronted the unidentified student about her headscarf, allegedly tearing at her clothes and headcovering. 

Social media footage appeared to show the woman removing her clothes in protest before being detained by plainclothes officers.

According to student media outlet Amir Kabir newsletter, the woman was beaten during her arrest. Her current condition and whereabouts remain unknown, the outlet reported on Saturday.

Amnesty International Iran demanded an “independent and impartial” investigation into the abuse allegations, calling for the student’s immediate and unconditional release. The organisation also urged authorities to ensure her access to family and legal representation whilst in custody.

Iran’s Fars news agency, which is considered conservative, confirmed the incident but presented a different account. Citing witnesses, it reported that security guards had “calmly” addressed the student about her “inappropriate clothes” before she removed her garments.

The incident occurs more than two years after nationwide protests erupted following the death in custody of Mahsa Amini, who had been detained for alleged dress code violations. Those protests, which saw some women publicly removing their mandatory headscarves, were subsequently suppressed by authorities.

Under Iranian law, women must wear a headscarf and loose-fitting clothing in public.