Iran’s Top Sunni Leader Demands Justice For Girl In Coma
Iran's top Sunni leader Mowlavi Abdolhamid has called for an impartial probe in the case of a teenage girl who fell into a coma after a reported row with hijab enforcers.
Iran's top Sunni leader Mowlavi Abdolhamid has called for an impartial probe in the case of a teenage girl who fell into a coma after a reported row with hijab enforcers.
During his Friday prayer sermon, the outspoken cleric said those responsible for the situation of Armita Geravand, comatose since October 1, should be held accountable.
Armita was admitted to hospital in coma after falling unconscious in a train at a subway station in Tehran on Sunday.
“Now, most people in Iran and around the world have expressed concerns about Armita, and that's why a thorough investigation into her coma is necessary," he said. “The government should take action against those responsible for her condition, whether they are from the ‘morality police’ or any other entity.”
Abdolhamid emphasized that the only thing, which can bring peace to the country is justice.
Following the incident, security forces established a heavy presence at the hospital entrance, preventing visitors, and even forbidding people from recording videos with their phones. A journalist was arrested after going to the hospital to investigate. She was released on bail the same day.
On Thursday, the Guardian quoted an eyewitness as saying that soon after Armita entered the train carriage, a woman agent enforcing compulsory veiling in the subway started arguing with Armita about why she had not covered her head. “The hijab enforcer started physically attacking Armita and …violently pushed her.”
Security is still tense around the hospital, and authorities are not forthcoming about the circumstances surrounding Armita's coma. Meanwhile, the media is filled with concerns from Iranians, foreign activists, and officials, all fearing a scenario similar to Mahsa Amini's death could reoccur.
