Government Spokesperson: Ahoo Daryaee is Not Detained, She is 'In the Stage of Treatment'

On Tuesday, November 6, the spokesperson for the government of Medicalian, in the first official reaction to the detention of Ahoo Daryaee, known as the 'girl from the Science and Research University,' who protested against mandatory hijab by removing her clothes and becoming semi-nude, described the government's view as 'social' and 'not security-related.' Fatemeh Mohajerani repeatedly emphasized her alleged 'mental illness' without naming Ahoo Daryaee and told the Ham-Mihan newspaper that 'the incident at the Science and Research University is currently in the stage of treatment, and no legal case has yet been formed for this student.' The spokesperson referred to 'the statements of the president of Azad University' quoting 'the Minister of Science,' stating: 'The Minister of Science followed up on this issue with the president of Azad University, and she was directly transferred from the police station to treatment centers with social emergency services.' Mohajerani mentioned that 'efforts are being made to resolve this student's issue as someone who is experiencing a problem,' linking the urgency in announcing her illness without medical examinations to 'the mental health monitoring plan for students,' and said, 'There may be a case regarding this student at the university.' Regarding the possibility of Daryaee's release and her return to university, the spokesperson said, 'Azad University has informed the Ministry of Science that she is married and has separated from her husband, and her treatment path is being pursued. If the issue is related to illness, she can also return to the university. We need to see what decisions the competent authorities make.' Mohajerani, who was trying to distance the case from being security-related, did not specify who the 'competent authorities' making the decision are. In another part of her claims about the psychological problems of the 'girl from Science and Research,' she added, 'According to a video released by her husband stating she needs treatment, this stage must be completed, and then further actions will be taken.' Mohajerani added that 'her husband has also emphasized that due to having a child, it is better to speak less about this issue and we must be careful that her children are not harmed.' In the contradictory statements of this spokesperson for the government of Medicalian, it is unclear who the person referred to as 'her husband' is. Reports on Saturday, November 3, indicated that following a violent encounter with security forces at the Science and Research University of Azad University in Tehran, a young female student removed her shirt and pants and was then arrested by government plainclothes forces while she was in her underwear in the vicinity of the university, after being 'beaten.' The name of this protesting young woman was later revealed to be Ahoo Daryaee. This incident sparked widespread reactions among users on social media and also drew attention from various international media and political figures from other countries. International media and non-Iranian users have reacted to this young woman's protest by becoming nude against mandatory hijab, with some calling her action 'the courage to stand against oppression.' Earlier, Amir Mahjoob, the public relations manager of Azad University, confirmed that they 'handed over the protesting woman to the police station,' claiming without evidence that she was 'under severe psychological pressure and had mental disorders.' Mahjoob accused this student of what he called 'an indecent act,' a label that Iranian officials typically use against women and girls who oppose mandatory government hijab. While a video released on social media shows several male and female officers struggling with this girl and forcibly pushing her into a vehicle, this official claimed that 'there was no altercation between the security forces and this student.' Meanwhile, the Amir Kabir newsletter Telegram channel quoted an informed source confirming 'the student's head hitting the door or column of the car and severe bleeding' from her head. Amnesty International has called on Iranian authorities to 'immediately and unconditionally' release this student.