Iranian woman whipped 74 times for "violating public morals"

Tehran: Iranian authorities have confirmed the whipping of a woman, Roya Heshmati, 33, for purportedly violating public morals by appearing in public spaces in Tehran without adhering to the mandatory head covering laws.

The woman's penalty of 74 lashings was enforced for her alleged encouragement of "permissiveness" due to her attire in bustling public areas. This punishment was carried out in accordance with the law and sharia, the judiciary's Mizan Online website reported.

Iran has imposed the legal requirement for women to cover their necks and heads since shortly after the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Breaching the dress code rarely leads to whippings, but there has been an increased crackdown on violations since anti-government protests in 2022.

The 2022 protests stemmed from the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian Kurd who died in custody following her arrest for an alleged breach of the country's strict dress code. The aftermath saw women defying the dress code by discarding or burning their headscarves, sparking a subsequent government crackdown.

Roya Heshmati, reportedly of Kurdish origins, was arrested in April for posting a photo on social media without wearing a headscarf, according to her lawyer, Maziar Tatai. Alongside the 74 lashings, she was also fined 12 million rials (approximately $25) for not wearing the mandated Muslim veil in public.

Authorities have heightened surveillance using public cameras to monitor compliance and have taken action against businesses violating the dress code. Furthermore, discussions within Iran's parliament have revolved around a bill to impose stricter penalties for breaching these regulations.