They'll kill her in the hospital claiming that it was suicide.
Iran Labels Women Protesters as 'Mentally Ill' to Discredit Dissent
Hours after images surfaced of
a young woman in Tehran stripping to her underwear in protest, government-affiliated media claimed she “suffered from a mental disorder.” The accusation mirrors a longstanding tactic by the Islamic Republic against women protesters, especially those opposing mandatory hijab laws.
Shortly after images of the incident were circulated, the university-affiliated newspaper Farhikhtegan reported that the student, known online as the girl “lacks mental health” and had been admitted to a psychiatric hospital.
The young woman removed her clothing after university security insulted her over her attire.
Soon after the incident, Azad University’s Public Relations Director and Farhikhtegan claimed she was mentally ill and, following a brief detention at the police station, had been transferred to a psychiatric hospital.
The claim was made without providing any evidence of her alleged illness. Independent sources confirmed that she was a seventh-semester French language student who had shown no mental health issues until the violent confrontation with university security on November 2.
Labeling Opponents and Protesters as "Mentally Ill"
The Islamic Republic has frequently labeled political opponents, protesters, and political prisoners as “mentally ill” during its over 40 years of rule.
In recent years, several political and ideological prisoners have reported being forcibly admitted to psychiatric hospitals, where they were administered drugs that impaired movement or speech, and some were subjected to electroconvulsive therapy.
Among the women accused of mental illness was Vida Movahed, the "Enghelab Street Girl," who, in 2017, climbed a utility box on Enghelab Street and held her headscarf aloft in protest of mandatory hijab. She was detained immediately, and the judiciary spokesperson at the time later claimed she suffered from depression.
In 2019, Sahar Khodayari, known as the “Blue Girl,” set herself on fire after learning she might face prison for attempting to enter a stadium to watch an Esteghlal FC football game. When news of her self-immolation spread, judiciary officials claimed she had bipolar disorder.
The strategy of portraying political dissent as mental illness is reminiscent of tactics used in the former Soviet Union, where it was systematically used against individuals opposing the Communist government.
In the Soviet Union, Nikita Khrushchev characterized “anti-Soviet beliefs” as a mental disorder, implying that opposition to the government indicated mental instability. Following the Woman, Life, Freedom protests, the Islamic Republic has similarly used this method extensively.
Optional Dress Code Branded as “Illness”
Since the death of Mahsa Amini in morality police custody and the rise of the Woman, Life, Freedom movement, many women have defied Iran's mandatory dress code laws. In response, some officials have labeled opponents of the mandatory hijab as “mentally ill.” The judiciary has even sentenced some supporters of optional dress codes to see psychiatrists.
For instance, famous Iranian actress Afsaneh Bayegan was sentenced to weekly therapy sessions to “treat her anti-family character.”
Another actress, Azadeh Samadi, who opposed mandatory hijab, was ordered to bi-weekly therapy for “antisocial personality disorder” and “attention-seeking through public misconduct.” Artist Leila Bloukat faced similar penalties.
Many women detained in protests have also been sent to psychiatric hospitals. Student activist Melika Qaragozlou was detained in November 2022 and transferred to a psychiatric hospital. Roya Zakeri, known as the “Tabriz Girl,” was admitted to the women’s ward at Razi Psychiatric Hospital in Tabriz after shouting slogans against Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Additionally, Ghazal Ghasemi, fiancée of slain protester Behnam Laieqpour, was detained at his gravesite and sent to Shafa Psychiatric Hospital in Rasht.
In recent weeks, the legal group Bidarzani reported that authorities pressured 20-year-old Sarina Jahani, currently serving a two-year sentence in Evin Prison, to transfer to Razi Psychiatric Hospital.
Comedian Zeinab Mousavi’s indictment similarly alleged that she suffers from “mental health issues.”
Psychiatric Hospitalization as a Tool of Control
Human rights advocates argue that security agencies use psychiatric hospitalization as a form of pressure on detained women. University of Tehran student activist Soha Mortezaei was threatened with transfer to a psychiatric hospital during her detention.
Through these actions, the Islamic Republic appears to be using its media apparatus to discredit protesting women by labeling them as mentally ill, attempting to undermine the legitimacy of their grievances and silence dissent.
Hours after images surfaced of a young woman in Tehran stripping to her underwear in protest, government-affiliated media claimed she “s ...
iranwire.com