Controversy Surrounds Cleric at Medical Center; Qom Prosecutor: Legal Case Opened

Iranian media reported that after the release of a video depicting a confrontation between a woman and a cleric labeled as 'fire at will' while she was breastfeeding her child, security forces arrested the mother from Qom along with the management and medical staff of the clinic where the incident occurred. The website 'Didban Iran' covered the issue, noting that the video sparked reactions from social media users. According to the news channel 'Al-Furqan', which is close to 'radical religious movements' in Qom, it was announced that the Qom mother, the clinic manager, and staff had been arrested. This channel stated in the local app 'Eitaa': 'Recently, a video of a brazen norm-breaking outburst in a clinic in Qom and insults to the clergy, along with the collaboration of clinic officials with a hostile network linked to foreign intelligence services and sending surveillance camera images to them, was published.' The channel claimed that 'the insulting individual, along with the clinic manager and staff, were arrested by the Intelligence Organization of the IRGC, and due to their collaboration with hostile media and sending surveillance footage to them, the clinic's license was revoked and the managers were referred to the judiciary.' The claim of these arrests by the IRGC's Intelligence Organization comes while Hassan Gharib, the Qom prosecutor, expressed ignorance about the situation, stating: 'Necessary judicial orders have been issued and a legal case has been opened.' He mentioned that orders were issued to 'identify disruptors of order' and 'elements that transferred the image to hostile media.' This judicial official dismissed the notion of 'closing the clinic or revoking its license' as a 'rumor.' On the other hand, Sakineh Pad, assistant to Ebrahim Raisi for 'pursuing rights and social freedoms,' expressed regret over the 'polarization' in society, saying: 'It is very bad that we have verbal violence among people. This type of confrontation is very ugly.' She stated that the arrest of the woman protesting against the cleric has been 'denied,' adding: 'It was very bad, and both sides were speaking violently to each other. Based on rational, religious, ethical, legal, and customary principles, we should not lean towards one side. Both sides had an ugly confrontation. We women understand more. For example, I am worried about my child and stressed, and that type of confrontation and aggression may be somewhat justifiable. Why does that cleric want to enjoin good while taking pictures and filming? What kind of confrontation has he had that he has lost his authority and is being confronted with aggression? These need to be analyzed.' Images of this confrontation reached several Persian-language media outlets outside Iran in recent days, leading to widespread reactions. Following a new wave of civil struggles by women and efforts for optional hijab, the Islamic Republic has adopted a confrontational approach towards protesters. Accordingly, reports published in the past year indicate that any public protest against 'fire at will' individuals and harassment of those with optional hijab ultimately leads to the arrest and trial of citizens. The effort for optional hijab has gained momentum after the nationwide protests in 2022, known as 'Women, Life, Freedom,' with a new approach and significant public support. The continuation of clinic closures; two eco-tourism complexes in Qeshm were closed. Continued judicial actions against social media activists; a woman active on Instagram was arrested in Isfahan. Return to 'main settings'; the tone of Islamic Republic officials regarding 'mandatory hijab' changed after the elections. Dozens of women's activists and organizations: The Islamic Republic should be boycotted as a regime of gender apartheid.