Iran sees rise in acid attacks after dress code bill
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It is a question all
Iranians are asking: who is stalking the streets of Isfahan, throwing
acid onto women's faces?
The attacks -there have been at least four in the central Iran city in recent weeks -appear aimed at terrorizing women who dare to test the boundaries of the Islamic dress code. The crimes coincided with the passage of a new parliamentary bill that allows private citizens to enforce “morality“ laws. The bill has sparked a clash between hardline politicians and moderates including President Hassan Rouhani.
Acid attacks are rare in Iran and authorities, including conservative clerics, were quick to condemn them.
But in a country where volunteer militia operate as self-appointed guardians of Islamic behaviour, it is inevitable that suspicions have fallen on religious vigilante groups -so much so that one issued a statement to deflect accusations.
Police have arrested a handful of suspects but haven't charged anyone yet.Local media said some Isfahani women received text messages threatening them of attacks if they did not respect the dress code.
The attacks -there have been at least four in the central Iran city in recent weeks -appear aimed at terrorizing women who dare to test the boundaries of the Islamic dress code. The crimes coincided with the passage of a new parliamentary bill that allows private citizens to enforce “morality“ laws. The bill has sparked a clash between hardline politicians and moderates including President Hassan Rouhani.
Acid attacks are rare in Iran and authorities, including conservative clerics, were quick to condemn them.
But in a country where volunteer militia operate as self-appointed guardians of Islamic behaviour, it is inevitable that suspicions have fallen on religious vigilante groups -so much so that one issued a statement to deflect accusations.
Police have arrested a handful of suspects but haven't charged anyone yet.Local media said some Isfahani women received text messages threatening them of attacks if they did not respect the dress code.
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