Morality police absent from streets of Iran’s major cities for months, leading some to hope that force disbanded; However, against backdrop of waning hijab protests, Tehran launches campaign on non-compliance; Numerous women, including film stars, actresses and doctors, have already faced harsh penalties
Dr. Fatma Bou Yamin, 52, a senior physician, has been sentenced to two months of floor cleaning at the Interior Ministry building in Tehran. Additionally, she was fined an amount equivalent to $60, a notably high sum in Tehran.
Another physician, 43, whose name has not been disclosed, was also sentenced to clean floors at a government office. While she managed to avoid the monetary fine, her more severe punishment requires her to clean floors for a total of 270 hours spread over six months. If she fails to comply, she faces the possibility of a doubled imprisonment sentence.
Two film actresses, Fatima Shahrbani and Youzda Amani, have been assigned the task of washing the bodies of both men and women at the Shat al-Zahra funeral home in Tehran.
Meanwhile, film actress Azada Samadi has been ordered to attend “psychiatric sessions,” during which she will receive “in-depth lectures on proper behavior.” In addition, she has been prohibited from using her mobile phone for six months.
A special decree issued by the Iranian interior minister specifies that if filmmakers cast actresses who have been caught without a hijab, their movies will be banned. Consequently, film actress Afsaneh Bayegan, who was caught on street surveillance cameras with an uncovered head and without a hijab, was sentenced to two years of probation, a two-year ban from traveling abroad, and 12 “psychiatric sessions.”
Another actress, Azada Samadi, who opted for a hat instead of a hijab, was sentenced to weekly “psychiatric sessions” for a period of four months.
The Iranian Psychiatric Association has released a strong statement condemning the unauthorized use of the organization’s name and the inclusion of psychiatric care in the “alternative sentencing” for women across the country.https://www.ynetnews.com/article/rkgbh8j3n
