Isfahan Police Report Arrest of 'Assailants of a Promoter of Virtue' and Closure of a Business Unit

Continuing the judicial and security measures of the Islamic Republic to impose mandatory hijab, a security organization in Isfahan announced the arrest of 'all those involved in the assault on a promoter of virtue' in Naqsh-e Jahan Square and the closure of several business units in this regard. According to reports from Iranian news agencies, the intelligence organization of the Isfahan police stated that individuals who confronted the 'promoter of virtue' in self-defense were arrested, and some operators of a business unit were also detained for supporting the people, leading to the closure of the relevant business units. Earlier, the judiciary news agency quoted Asadollah Jafari, the head of the Isfahan judiciary, stating that 'following the assault of four individuals on one promoter of virtue in Imam Square of Isfahan and the dissemination of the video on social media, a judicial case was opened in a special branch of the provincial prosecutor's office, and necessary orders were issued.' In recent days, Iranian media published footage showing a scuffle with a 'prohibitor of vice' in Naqsh-e Jahan Square. The website 'Tabnak' reported that 'as indicated by the sounds in the video, the issue of filming unveiled women for reporting was raised, which led to the altercation.' Harassment of women and girls in Iran has intensified as supporters of the Islamic Republic increasingly act 'fire at will' as advised by Ali Khamenei. Some analysts attribute the reckless behavior of 'fire at will' forces to the comprehensive support from security, military, and judicial institutions. This recklessness has also extended to confrontations with the police, which is one of the staunch defenders of these forces. In this context, Iranian media reported on March 14 that there were clashes between supporters of mandatory hijab and the police. The website 'Entekhab' noted that despite the three branches of government taking specific actions to support the advocates of 'promotion of virtue and prohibition of vice', a group of supporters gathered in the vicinity of Pasteur and the Presidential Institution, and when the police attempted to disperse this group, clashes broke out between the two sides, ultimately leading to a fight. The judiciary in Hamadan and Isfahan is pursuing the assailants of 'promoters of virtue'; the public's resistance against 'fire at will' has increased. An interview with the Islamic Republic's ambassador in Baku with a 'non-veiled' reporter caused controversy; Abbas Mousavi is returning to Iran. Businesses continue to be targeted by judicial actions; a café-restaurant in Kerman was closed, and its manager was arrested. Sedigheh Vosoughi refused to comply with mandatory hijab in Evin prison; Narges Mohammadi joined her sit-in. A judicial official in the province reported the closure of 65 business units in 12 days in Hamadan.