Who is Roshanak Molaei, the protester against mandatory hijab?

Roshanak Molaei Alishah, a civil activist protesting against mandatory hijab, went viral for her resistance against an assault by a motorbike soldier. She was arrested due to her refusal to wear a hijab and her current status is unknown. Roshanak, 25 years old, from Tabriz and residing in Tehran, has a history of arrest during nationwide protests and had previously published her thoughts on 'Being a Woman in Iran.' Her post sparked many reactions, leading to her account being disabled. After a threatening phone call, she was summoned and interrogated by the Cyber Police on Saturday, November 12, for her online activities. According to the Hengaw Human Rights Organization, she was arrested on Sunday, November 13, and there is currently no precise information about her fate or whereabouts, with her family's inquiries proving fruitless. Earlier, security officials reported that after being pursued, 'the young lady [Roshanak Molaei Alishah] was also referred to the judiciary for not complying with hijab laws.' Previously, Roshanak had been arrested during nationwide protests on September 27, 2022, and transferred to Evin and Qarchak Varamin prisons. She was sentenced to 6 years and 6 months in prison but was pardoned after five months on February 15. An informed source, who was previously a cellmate of this prisoner, told Voice of America that this recent arrest is her ninth. The source added that Roshanak was first arrested at 16 during gatherings advocating for the right to education in her mother tongue in Tabriz. The former cellmate stated that during the 'Women, Life, Freedom' uprising, agents raided this civil activist's home at midnight, arresting her in her sleep and transferring her to Qarchak prison, later moving her to Evin prison along with Golrokh Iraee. During her detention in Qarchak prison, 'Judge Iman Afshari' was responsible for her case. The informed source quoted Roshanak Molaei saying that 'during one of her transfers to court, a female officer, after an argument, laid her on the floor of the vehicle and beat her.' The source noted that 'the beating continued until other prisoners pleaded and warned about the risk of a heart attack for one of them due to fear.' The former cellmate added, 'However, in court, the same officer twisted Roshanak's hair for refusing to wear a headscarf and dragged her down the court stairs,' resulting in 'Roshanak's earlobe being torn, and she moaned in pain until morning.' Reports indicate that over the past two years, Roshanak Molaei Alishah has been summoned and interrogated multiple times by Iranian security agencies due to the content of her social media posts protesting mandatory hijab. She was also notably active in the 'Hijab Without Hijab' campaign in July 2022. Various videos of this activist protesting against mandatory hijab have circulated widely on social media. The Islamic Republic has increased restrictions on individual and social freedoms for women by criminalizing non-compliance with the mandatory hijab law, deploying both official and unofficial forces to confront women who engage in civil disobedience against this obligation in the streets. Meanwhile, civil disobedience against mandatory hijab and violations of women's rights continue, with reports indicating an increase in the number of women appearing in public without hijab. The Islamic Republic's policy of enforcing mandatory hijab in Iran has drawn widespread criticism from human rights organizations, and the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom has previously stated that mandatory hijab in Iran is a violation of human rights. In recent days, a young woman's act of undressing in response to violence from security forces and university Basij in Tehran has sparked a wave of support reactions for her in Iran and worldwide. The arrest of a woman opposing mandatory hijab after confronting a government agent has led to statements from dozens of civil activists calling for the immediate release of Ahoo Daryayi, and the World Student Assembly has demanded the immediate release of the 'Girl of Science and Research.' The Minister of Science has attacked the 'Girl of Science and Research,' stating, 'She did not observe the legal and customary hijab.'