Increasing Criticism of Vehicle Seizures Under the Pretext of 'Improper Hijab'; Lawyers: Not Compatible with Legal Standards

Following rising criticism from citizens regarding the seizure of vehicles under the pretext of improper hijab, several lawyers emphasized that this punitive action by the government is incompatible with citizens' rights and legal standards. In recent months, many social media users, including journalists, reported being surprised by traffic police, including at midnight and while traveling on highways, facing the costs of towing their vehicles to parking lots, confusion among various offices, and ultimately paying millions to release their seized cars. Abdolsamad Khormashahi, a lawyer, stated in an interview with Khabar Online published on Friday, January 22, that this approach 'is not compatible with citizens' rights and legal standards.' Khabar Online also quoted attorney Hooshang Pourbabayi, who said that 'the police have no right to seize vehicles in cases of hijab violations.' This legal expert noted that all actions taken by law enforcement in this regard, such as sending warning text messages, seizing vehicles, towing them, or charging fees, are 'against the law.' Recently, one user recounted on X (formerly Twitter) the story of a friend's vehicle seizure, stating that 'plainclothes officers (likely from the Basij)' stopped a female driver with her 6-year-old child at midnight on the Tehran-Karaj road to seize her car. Journalist Pejman Mousavi explained the personal vehicle seizure and its aftermath in a series of tweets, referring to it as 'a week-long account of the life of a so-called citizen of this land.' Another user named 'Atieh Morvarid' mentioned her complaint about the towing fees for her vehicle. Former journalist Farnoush Abai described the vehicle seizure as 'public harassment by extremist vigilantes' and criticized police intervention in this area. A user named 'Raha' wrote that 'exactly on the morning I had a flight, my car was seized for hijab violation!' She continued that after the vehicle was released, it was stopped again shortly after. According to Iranian media reports, the seizure of citizens' vehicles for alleged non-compliance with mandatory hijab was carried out following a directive from the Ministry of Interior to law enforcement, Tehran Municipality, provincial governors, and seven security and law enforcement agencies, with the seizure duration mentioned as one week. According to Etemad newspaper, the approved directive from the 'Hijab and Chastity Headquarters,' which was communicated by the Ministry of Interior on May 30, 2023, is the source of the confrontations with citizens 'under the pretext of hijab.' Currently, two lawyers, Ali Mojtahedzadeh and Hassan Younesi, have filed a complaint with the Administrative Justice Court seeking to annul the Ministry of Interior's directive regarding hijab. Despite criticisms from citizens and legal experts regarding vehicle seizures as a punishment for improper hijab, the judiciary of the Islamic Republic has defended this government action, claiming that the interior of a vehicle does not have personal privacy. The intensification of vehicle seizures 'under the pretext of hijab' has been deemed unconstitutional by a legal expert. The government's pressure on women regarding hijab issues has intensified, with the Basij and plainclothes officers receiving orders. Vehicle seizures for enforcing mandatory hijab have been labeled illegal; citizens are advised not to hand over their keys or vehicles. The ongoing crackdown on opponents of mandatory hijab continues, with a parliamentary representative stating that such measures will not resolve the issue.