Woman arrested in Iran after stripping during anti-harassment protest | Iran

Amnesty International has called on Iranian authorities to “immediately and unconditionally” release a student who was arrested after stripping down to her underwear. The organization described this as a public protest against harassment related to the country's strict dress code.

The incident came after the woman, who was not identified, reportedly had a confrontation at Tehran's prestigious Islamic Azad University with members of the paramilitary Basij force, who tore her headscarf and clothing.

Videos posted on social media appear to show the woman removing her clothing and walking onto the street in her underwear. A second video appears to show the woman being dragged into a car by men in civilian clothes.

The student media outlet Amir Kabir's newsletter said the woman was harassed by a Basij member because she wasn't wearing a headscarf. According to Iran's dress code, women must wear a headscarf and loose-fitting clothing in public.

The media outlet also claimed she was beaten during the arrest and said Saturday that information about the woman's condition and whereabouts was not available.

Amnesty International Iran called for an “independent and impartial” investigation into the abuse allegations.

“Iranian authorities must immediately and unconditionally release the university student who was forcibly detained after she was forcibly detained in protest against security officials’ abusive enforcement of the veil requirement,” it said on social media.

“Until they are released, the authorities must protect them from torture and other ill-treatment and ensure access to family and lawyers.”

Iran's conservative Fars news agency confirmed the incident, saying the student wore “inappropriate clothing” and “took off his clothes” after security forces told him to adhere to the dress code.

A report quoting “witnesses” said security forces spoke to the student “calmly” and denied reports that their actions were in any way aggressive.

The incident comes more than two years after Iran was rocked by nationwide protests after Mahsa Amini, an Iranian Kurdish woman arrested for an alleged dress code violation, died in custody. The protests, during which some women defied authorities and removed their headscarves, were later violently suppressed by authorities.

With contributions from Agence France-Presse and Reuters