Iran: authorities close 150 businesses for non-respect of the veil

More than 150 commercial establishments have been closed by the authorities in 24 hours for not respecting the obligation of the wearing of the veil by employees, the police announced on Sunday

Iran: authorities close 150 businesses for non-respect of the veil

More than 150 commercial establishments have been closed by the authorities in 24 hours for not respecting the obligation of the wearing of the veil by employees, the police announced on Sunday.

These closures were ordered the day after the entry into force of a new police plan, using in particular surveillance cameras and facial recognition, to control the wearing of the veil by women, compulsory since the Islamic Revolution in 1979.

"Unfortunately, the police had to seal off 137 shops and 18 restaurants and banquet halls across the country for not heeding previous warnings" related to the veil requirement, said the police spokesperson, Said Montazerolmahdi, quoted by the Tasnim agency.

This toughening comes as more and more women are defying the compulsory dress code, in particular the wearing of the veil, since the beginning of the demonstrations triggered by the death in detention, on September 16, of Mahsa Amini, arrested for breaching the strict code. clothing.

Police have warned that car owners will also receive a warning message if a female passenger breaks the dress code. They risk having their vehicle seized in the event of a repeat offence.

"In the past 24 hours, several hundred cases of not wearing the veil in cars have been recorded by police inspectors and car owners have been informed by text messages," Said Montazerolmahdi added.

In late March, the head of the judiciary, Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, warned that all women who removed the veil would be "punished".