Judiciary Spokesman Calls Reactions to Arzu Badri Case 'Media Manipulation'; Jahangir: 'The Issue is Not Related to Hijab'

The spokesman for the Islamic Republic's judiciary stated that the injury caused by police gunfire to Arzu Badri is not related to hijab and that there has been 'media manipulation.' Asghar Jahangir made this claim during a press conference today, referencing a 'FARAJA report,' and stated: 'The issue at hand was the failure to heed police warnings and fleeing the scene, which led to a chase.' According to reports, Arzu Badri's vehicle was on a list for confiscation due to her optional hijab, and she was shot by police on August 1 while driving in Noor County, Mazandaran Province. Government media attributed the shooting to 'police suspicion' and 'failure to heed the stop command.' Reports indicate that Iranian security forces have pressured Badri's family to confirm their narrative of the incident and not speak to the media. The judiciary spokesman also mentioned that due to the officer's actions, the shooter was immediately arrested and is currently in temporary detention, with the case under further investigation. A few days ago, following rising reactions to the police shooting at a Pride vehicle to enforce mandatory hijab laws, the head of the Armed Forces Judicial Organization announced the issuance of a 'temporary arrest' order for the shooter of Arzu Badri. Ahmadreza Pourkhaghan, head of the Armed Forces Judicial Organization, wrote on his personal page on X that 'according to the announcement from the military prosecutor of Mazandaran, the shooter of Ms. Arzu Badri is in prison under temporary arrest. It should be noted that the Armed Forces Judicial Organization addresses the crimes of offenders with complete impartiality.' The human rights organization 'Hengaw' reported on Thursday, August 25, that the health condition of Arzu Badri, a 31-year-old woman shot directly 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 television confessions. Yesterday, the first video of Arzu Badri, the woman shot by police, was released. Masih Alinejad shared this video, stating that a security atmosphere has been created in the hospital and that the Islamic Republic is trying to pressure the family into presenting an unrealistic narrative. Amnesty International also emphasized on social media that reports indicate that Iranian government agents shot at Arzu Badri's vehicle while enforcing mandatory hijab laws, leaving her paralyzed, and that this matter 'must be effectively investigated.' Arzu Badri, a mother of two, lost the ability to move from the waist down due to the bullet hitting her spine. The mother of Abolfazl Amirataei reacted to the forced confession from Arzu Badri, stating that they did the same to her. Concerns about Arzu Badri's condition and reports of pressure on her family to prevent further details from being revealed have arisen. Where is Arzu Badri? Women in Iran and Afghanistan have become the voice of Arzu Badri. The head of the Armed Forces Judicial Organization announced the 'arrest of the shooter' of Arzu Badri. The worsening health condition of Arzu Badri and pressure on her family for 'forced confessions'; Amnesty International: The government must be held accountable. The shooting of an Iranian woman in Mazandaran for 'mandatory hijab'; reports indicate that Arzu Badri is in a coma.