Exclusive | U.S. Concern Over the Condition of Arzu Badri: The Islamic Republic Has Learned Nothing from the Killing of Mahsa Amini

On Sunday, September 4, the U.S. government expressed serious concern over media reports regarding the condition of Arzu Badri, stating that the Islamic Republic of Iran has not learned from the killing of Mahsa Amini while in the custody of the morality police. A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department told the Persian section of Voice of America that the Biden administration is deeply worried about reports of police shooting Arzu Badri after she allegedly violated the 'mandatory hijab law' and became paralyzed as a result. According to him, these reports align with the gender-based violence of the regime against women and girls in Iran, indicating that the Islamic Republic has learned nothing from the tragic and brutal killing of Mahsa (Zhina) Amini, and the oppression of Iranian women and girls continues unabated. The spokesperson further noted that the 'ruthless behavior' of the Islamic Republic towards women and girls is the main reason for the regime's continued unpopularity in the international community and the mass exodus of young Iranians seeking opportunities and fundamental freedoms. The U.S. diplomat emphasized that Washington will continue to use all available tools to hold accountable those responsible for human rights violations in Iran and will continue to work with its allies and partners in this regard. The spokesperson for the Iranian judiciary claimed that the injury inflicted on Arzu Badri by the police shooting is not related to the hijab and that a 'media fabrication' has taken place. Asghar Jahangir made this claim during a press conference in recent days, citing a 'Faraaja report' and stating that the issue was her failure to heed police warnings and fleeing the scene. Reports indicate that Arzu Badri's vehicle was on the list for seizure due to her optional hijab, and she was shot by officers on the first of Mordad while driving in Noor County, Mazandaran Province. State media have attributed the shooting to the police becoming 'suspicious' and her 'failure to heed the stop command.' According to reports, Iranian security forces pressured Badri's family to confirm their narrative of the incident and not to speak with the media. The spokesperson for the judiciary stated that regarding the judicial action taken in this case, 'the shooter was immediately arrested and is currently in temporary detention; the case is under further investigation.' A few days ago, following the rising reactions to the shooting of a Pride car to enforce the mandatory hijab law, the head of the judicial organization of the armed forces announced the issuance of a 'temporary detention order' for the 'shooter' of Arzu Badri. Ahmadreza Pourkhaghan wrote on his personal page on X that 'according to the announcement of the military prosecutor of Mazandaran, the shooter of Ms. Arzu Badri is in prison under a temporary detention order. It is noted that the judicial organization of the armed forces addresses the crimes of the offenders with complete impartiality.' The human rights organization 'Hengaw' reported on Thursday, August 25, that the physical condition of Arzu Badri, a 31-year-old woman who was shot by government forces for not adhering to the mandatory hijab, has worsened. Hengaw emphasized that her family is also under security pressure to repeat the government's narrative of the incident and to make forced confessions on television. Last week, the first video of Arzu Badri in the hospital was published. Masih Alinejad wrote that a security atmosphere has been created in the hospital, and the Islamic Republic is trying to force the family to present an unrealistic narrative through pressure and coercion. Arzu Badri, a mother of two, has lost the ability to move from the waist down due to a bullet hitting her spine. At the same time, Amnesty International, referring to reports that Islamic Republic agents paralyzed Arzu Badri by shooting at her vehicle while enforcing the mandatory hijab laws, emphasized that this issue 'must be effectively investigated.' The mother of Abolfazl Amirataei reacted to the forced confession obtained from Arzu Badri, stating that they did the same to her. The first video of Arzu Badri in the hospital; pressure on the family for forced confession. Concerns about Arzu Badri's condition and reports of pressure on the family to prevent further details from being revealed. Where is Arzu Badri? Women in Iran and Afghanistan have become the voice of Arzu Badri. The head of the judicial organization of the armed forces announced the 'arrest of the shooter' of Arzu Badri. The worsening condition of Arzu Badri and pressure on the family for 'forced confession'; Amnesty International: The government must be held accountable. The shooting of an Islamic Republic officer at a woman in Mazandaran for 'mandatory hijab'; reports: Arzu Badri is in a coma.