Iranwire – In an escalation of pressure on celebrities, the Islamic Republic’s judiciary has initiated a subpoena case against two renowned actresses for appearing without the mandatory hijab, authorities said on Monday.
According to a report from the official Mizan news agency published on June 12, Azadeh Samadi was summoned following her appearance without a hijab at a funeral.
The prosecutor’s office for Culture and Media subsequently issued a summons to stand trial on charges of “injuring public morals and modesty by removing the hijab.”
Similarly, Leila Bolokat has beenn summoned for “publishing pictures on her personal page on social media.”
Director Zahra Ahooei, in another development, disclosed last week that she has received a summons to appear at Branch 1092 of the Criminal Court in Tehran.
The notice she shared on Twitter stated that her “appearing without a hijab in public and removing the hijab on social media” led to the summons.
The Iranian authorities have intensified their crackdown on many individuals who violate the country’s strict dress code, following months of unrest sparked by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini while in police custody.
Amini had been detained for allegedly wearing a head covering improperly.
The Islamic Republic mandates that all women in Iran cover their hair with a headscarf and wear loose-fitting trousers under their coats while in public.
However, in the wake of Amini’s death, a growing number of women, including prominent celebrities such as Taraneh Alidoosti, Ketayoun Riahi, Panthea Bahram, and Baran Kowsari, have defiantly appeared in public without hijab.
Some of these women have later been arrested, summoned by the authorities, and faced legal proceedings.
Furthermore, hundreds of small businesses and shopping malls have been shut down under the accusation of failing to enforce hijab rules on their customers.
Taxi drivers have also incurred fines for transporting women without headscarves, while police and volunteers issue warnings in subways, airports, and other public places.
Source » shabtabnews