On the eve of the first anniversary of Mahsa Amini’s passing, the UK government on Friday imposed sanctions against a number of Iranian officials, including the culture minister and the Tehran mayor.
The latest restrictions “focus on senior Iranian decision makers responsible for drafting and implementing Iran’s mandatory hijab legislation,” according to the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
The Iranian police spokesman Saeed Montazer Al-Mahdi, Tehran mayor Alireza Zakani, and Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Mohammad Mehdi Esmaili and his deputy Mohammad Hashemi are among those subject to penalties.
“A year on from Mahsa Amini’s tragic death at the hands of Iran’s Morality Police, I commend the bravery of Iranian women as they continue to fight for fundamental freedoms,” UK foreign minister James Cleverly said.
“Today’s sanctions on those responsible for Iran’s oppressive laws send a clear message that the UK and our partners will continue to stand with Iranian women and call out the repression it is inflicting on its own people,” he added.
According to the FCDO, the latest actions are a part of coordinated sanctions by the US, Australia, Canada, and the UK in observance of the anniversary of Amini’s passing.
After being detained in Tehran on September 16 of last year for allegedly violating the Islamic Republic’s severe clothing code for women, Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian Kurd, passed away.
Her death triggered months of nationwide demonstrations under the slogan “Woman, Life, Freedom”.
