Iran arrests former President's daughter for 'inciting rioters' amid anti-hijab protests

Amid anti-hijab protests in Iran, former President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani's daughter has been arrested allegedly for "inciting rioters" to street protests in Tehran. Faezeh Hashemi, daughter of Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani was arrested by security ncy for 'inciting rioters' to protest in eastern part of Tehran, Tasnim news ncy reported.  arrest comes amid nation-wide protests in Iran in wake of death of Mahsa Amini in 'morality' police custody. 

Faezeh Hashemi, daughter of former Iranian President Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani who died in 2017, has previous run-ins with Iran's security ncies for alleged "anti-government activities," Anolu ncy reported. She was charged with "propaganda activity against Islamic Republic" in July over her statement regarding removal of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) from US State Department’s list of foreign terrorist organisations. Hashemi was charged with "blasphemy" after she reportedly called wife of Prophet Muhamm a "businesswoman" whose money she claimed Prophet spent. In 2012, she spent six months in prison on charges of "propaganda activities" and was arrested a few times during unrest in 2009. 

Iran protests 

tably, protests erupted in Iran on 16 September after death of Mahsa Amini in 'morality' police custody. She was allegedly detained for wearing hescarf too loosely. Iranian Police have claimed that Mahsa Amini died due to a heart attack and she was t mistreated. However, her family has raised doubts regarding claims me by police. Protests which started after Amini's death have spre around 46 cities, towns and vills in Iran and clashes between security personnel and protesters. Iranian women held protests by taking off hescarves and chopping ir hair. 

A rights group in Iran has claimed that at least 76 protesters have been killed by security personnel. Iran Human Rights group said that most families have been forced to bury ir family members at night and y were pressurised against holding public funerals. As per Associated Press tally, more than 1200 protesters have been arrested since protests erupted in Iran following Mahsa Amini's death. 

Inputs from AP

Im: AP