U.S. Officials Express Concern Over Armita Garavand's Health; Security Pressures on Family and Associates Continue

Six days after the incident that led to the injury and coma of 16-year-old Iranian student Armita Garavand, government agencies of the Islamic Republic continue to prevent any leaks of news and information regarding this incident. On Friday, October 6, Amnesty International criticized the Iranian government's secrecy in this matter and called for an independent international investigation into Armita Garavand's 'serious injury.' Citing published reports and multiple pieces of evidence regarding the Iranian authorities' cover-up, they emphasized that Armita Garavand fell into a coma after an attack by a mandatory hijab enforcement officer. U.S. President Joe Biden also expressed regret over the attack by the 'morality police' on Armita Garavand, calling it 'horrific,' while congratulating Narges Mohammadi on receiving the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize. He stated, 'The United States continues to support the efforts of Iranians to defend their future, freedom of expression, gender equality, and to end gender-based violence against women and girls everywhere.' Linda Thomas-Greenfield, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, referred to the treatment of the Iranian teenager in a post on social media, expressing horror at reports of the Islamic Republic's police assaulting Armita Garavand. She stated, 'As Iranians bravely fight for women, life, and freedom, we stand with the people of Iran.' Michael McCaul, Chairman of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee, reacted to the attack on Armita Garavand, denouncing it and likening it to the attack that led to the death of Mahsa Amini a year ago. Raha Bahreini, a human rights researcher at Amnesty International, told Voice of America that the government's propaganda machinery was deployed in the early days following the incident to hide the truth and pressure Armita's family, raising concerns that Armita Garavand may also be a victim of mandatory hijab violence. She emphasized the need for more international action to address the 'catastrophic' situation of women and girls in the Islamic Republic, adding that Amnesty International has called for global pressure on Iranian authorities to clarify the details of the incident involving Armita Garavand. Meanwhile, the state news agency IRNA broadcast an interview with Armita's parents on Friday, October 6, in which Armita's mother claimed that she and her husband meet their daughter daily without any restrictions. She also denied reports about her being detained and stated, 'I do not want any photos or videos of my daughter to be published on social media.' Armita's father also urged everyone not to spread rumors. At the same time, the human rights organization Hengaw reported, citing informed sources, that Armita's father was allowed to see his daughter for a very short time after a television interview on Friday, October 6. According to Hengaw, Armita's medical team has so far refrained from providing any information regarding her health status, even to her parents. Earlier reports indicated that government authorities did not even allow Armita's parents to visit her. Armita Garavand is an 11th-grade student at the state vocational school 'Orovat al-Wathiq' in District 11 of Tehran, who became unconscious on October 1 while returning from school and was hospitalized at Fajr Hospital, affiliated with the Army Medical University. Some reports suggest that government metro officers known as 'hijab enforcers,' an initiative by the Tehran municipality, pushed this teenage girl for not wearing a hijab, causing her to fall and hit her head, leading to her coma. Raha Bahreini expressed serious concerns that Armita Garavand may also be a victim of mandatory hijab violence. Hamed Ayinevand stated that all evidence regarding Armita Garavand indicates that the regime wants to obscure the truth. The narrative of the Islamic Republic's media regarding what happened to Armita Garavand is that it was a completely natural incident. An informed source told Voice of America about security pressures on Armita Garavand's family and friends. Joe Biden praised the 'unwavering courage' of Narges Mohammadi, stating she should be released from prison immediately. Amnesty International called for an independent international investigation into Armita Garavand's situation. Iranians praised Narges Mohammadi for her 'freedom-seeking' and 'steadfastness in struggle' in their messages. The 2023 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Narges Mohammadi, a political prisoner from Iran. Mawlavi Abdolhamid called for a 'thorough and impartial' investigation into Armita Garavand's situation and the 'punishment' of those responsible. A senior member of the U.S. Congress likened the attack on Armita Garavand to the killing of Mahsa Amini. There is no news about Armita Garavand's health status; The Guardian reported based on two eyewitness accounts. Two eyewitnesses for The Guardian revealed details of the 'physical attack' by the hijab officer on Armita Garavand. A senior U.S. official reacted to reports of the 'brutal attack' by the hijab officer on Armita Garavand, stating, 'We are horrified.'