Iran | The death of a young woman at the hands of the morality police sparked protests in Iran

in Iran has erupted in protests since the 22-year-old Mahsa Amini died in the hands of morality police after being arrested by them for violating the country’s strict hijab rules, news agency Reuters tells.

Amini died three days after his arrest in hospital after falling into a coma, reportedly as a result of the beating. He was buried on Saturday in his hometown of Saqez in western Iran.

Videos published on social media showed how protesters gathered in the city shouted slogans against the government.

“Death to the dictator,” shouted the crowd, referring to the country’s spiritual leader, the Ayatollah to Ali Khamenei.

The protests spread to the provincial capital, Sanandaj, and continued late into the night.

In recent months, human rights activists have called on Iranian women to remove their veils in public. However, the gesture puts them at risk of arrest for defying Islamic dress code.

In addition, women who have removed their veils have been the target of violent actions by the moral police in several cases, as apparently in the case of Amin too.

Authorities have launched an investigation into Amin’s death. Minister of the Interior Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli said on state television that Amin had not been beaten.

The police also denied the claims of Amin’s abuse, and said that she got sick while being “trained” with other arrested women at the morality police station.

Earlier, the police said that Amini had suffered a heart attack. His relatives have denied that he had a heart condition.

The police released a video of the incident, which apparently supports their version of events. Reuters could not verify the authenticity of the video, but said it appeared edited.

As during previous protests, authorities appeared to have restricted the use of wireless internet in Saqez and its surrounding areas, according to reports on social media, according to Reuters.

Prominent figures in sports and art circles posted critical comments on social media about Amin’s death, and demonstrations were also held in Tehran on Friday, with riot police present.

After the 1979 revolution, Islamic Sharia law was introduced in Iran, requiring women to cover their hair and wear long, loose clothing to hide their bodies. Violations can lead to public reprimands, fines or arrest.