Two Eyewitnesses Reveal Details of 'Physical Attack' by Hijab Enforcer on Armita Garavand

The British newspaper 'Guardian' published on Thursday, October 5, statements from two witnesses who say that Armita Garavand, a 16-year-old girl, was confronted by a female hijab enforcer as soon as she entered a subway car because she was not wearing a headscarf. One witness told the newspaper that when Armita fell to the ground, she was still conscious. According to the report, one witness said that shortly after Armita entered the subway car, a hijab enforcer wearing a chador shouted at her, asking why she was not covering her hair. The witness stated that Armita replied, 'Am I asking you to take off your scarf? Why are you asking me to put one on?' The witness told the Guardian that their argument escalated into violence, and the hijab enforcer physically attacked Armita, pushing her violently. Another witness said that Armita was still conscious when she fell to the ground. The two witnesses reported seeing the same hijab enforcer waiting behind the ambulance that took Armita to the hospital. One of the witnesses said, 'Armita's friends and family are under pressure,' adding, 'I do not expect them to reveal the truth after what happened to Mahsa's family.' Armita Garavand, born in February 2005, is a student at the public vocational school 'Orova-ol-Vothqi' in Tehran's District 11. On October 1, while returning from school, she fell to the ground shortly after entering the subway car at the 'Shahada Tehran' station. She was then transferred to Fajr Hospital, affiliated with the Army Medical University, where she is currently hospitalized and in a coma. The incident has drawn parallels to the circumstances surrounding Mahsa Amini before her death in custody of the morality police. Reports indicate that she was beaten inside the morality police van, but Iranian officials have denied this. Mahsa Amini was then taken to a morality police complex, where she lost consciousness, fell to the ground, and went into a coma; it was later announced that she had died. Her death sparked nationwide protests in Iran for several months. While Armita Garavand is hospitalized at Fajr Hospital, reports indicate that government forces have been deployed around the hospital, and some news sources have reported the arrest of the mother of this comatose teenager. The Hengaw website reported on Thursday, October 5, that Shahin Ahmadi, Armita Garavand's mother, was arrested by Iranian officials. On Wednesday, a source informed VOA that Armita Garavand's friends and family have been threatened not to speak to any media unless permitted by officials. According to this source, a 'highly secure' atmosphere prevails in the streets leading to Fajr Hospital, with numerous plainclothes forces stationed there. The Iranian government has intensified laws regarding mandatory hijab enforcement in recent months despite public criticism and opposition, indicating the importance of mandatory hijab for the clerical regime in Iran. Meanwhile, Iran Human Rights Organization issued a statement on Wednesday calling for an independent international investigation into the events that led to 'Armita Garavand's injury due to the violent encounter with mandatory hijab enforcers' in Tehran's subway. The Iranian government and its media deny the physical confrontation with Armita Garavand over hijab, while reports indicate that the hospital where she is being treated is under the control of officials, and authorities have not allowed access to other journalists except those from state media. In this context, Maryam Lotfi, a journalist from Shargh, who was arrested for attempting to report on Armita Garavand's condition, was later released 'on bail.' Fajr Hospital is under 'siege by government forces'; Hengaw: Armita Garavand's mother was arrested. By blocking independent media access to the hospital and family, the government is attempting to control the flow of information regarding Armita Garavand. The continuation of 'repetitive scenarios'; efforts by state media to control the flow of information regarding Armita Garavand. Tehran University confirmed the transfer of a student to a 'treatment center' after a 'hijab warning'; she lost consciousness due to 'stress.'