Disturbing video has emerged of an Iranian girl being beaten by authorities after she removed her hijab amid violent demonstrations that have gripped the country since a young woman died after being arrested for allegedly violating dress rules.
The footage shared by London-based Iran International shows the girl being attacked and falling to the ground after she removed her headscarf in front of security forces, the Times of Israel reported.
“This video, obtained by @IranIntl, shows an Iranian girl who has removed her hijab and opens her arms to the security forces, but is brutally beaten,” the news outlet posted on Twitter.
The death toll has climbed to at least 41 since Mahsa Amini, 22, died in state custody Sept. 16 after being arrested by the feared Morality Police for letting her hair peek out from under her headscarf, according to the Israeli news outlet.
The death toll was mostly comprised of demonstrators but also included members of the Islamic Republic’s security forces.
However, the Oslo-based Iran Human Rights organization has put the victim count at 57 among protesters alone, the Times of Israel said.
On Monday, officials said that 1,200 demonstrators have been arrested during the unrest, according to the outlet.
Hardline President Ebrahim Raisi on Saturday decried the protests as “riots” organized by Iran’s “enemies” — signaling that violent attacks on demonstrators will continue.
Iran must “deal decisively with those who oppose the country’s security and tranquillity,” Raisi said, according to state media.
