Iran’s chief public prosecutor has declared that the country’s hardline “morality police,” which was blamed for the death in custody of a woman arrested for improperly wearing a hijab, has been abolished.
According to The Telegraph:
More than two months after one of their patrol units arrested Mahsa Amini who died three days later, the country’s chief public prosecutor said the force had been disbanded.
The death of Amini sparked nationwide protests. Human rights groups estimate more than 460 people have been killed by security forces across the country, with 50 children among them.
Speaking on Sunday, Mohammad Jafar Montazeri said: “Morality police have nothing to do with the judiciary” as he confirmed that the “institution” has stopped their work.
It is unclear if the morality police has been permanently scrapped or if this is a temporary move to quell public anger.
Demonstrators have burned their mandatory hijab head coverings and a growing number of women have refrained from wearing the hijab, particularly in parts of Tehran.
While unlikely to bring an end to demonstrations, protesters will view the announcement as a major win.
UPDATE:
Iranian state media is denying the reports that the morality police has been abolished.