Attention: Due to serious security risks, the identities of individuals and sensitive details that could endanger their lives have been withheld.
Preface
Since the establishment of the Islamic Republic, gender apartheid and the enforcement of mandatory hijab have been fundamental pillars of the Islamic Republic’s governance. Gender discrimination under this regime has repeatedly been challenged by women’s movements in Iran. However, over the past 45 years, such protests have been brutally suppressed by security forces.
With the killing of Mahsa Amini in the custody of the morality police, accused of improper hijab, the “Women, Life, Freedom” protest movement emerged in Iran, leading to widespread civil disobedience among women regarding their dress and mandatory Islamic hijab. Despite documented reports of physical abuse and sexual assault against unveiled women by security forces, officials in the Islamic Republic’s government and judiciary have consistently denied the allegations of mistreatment and refused to acknowledge the extensive evidence in this regard.
In one of the most controversial cases, on November 2, 2024, a female student at the Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch, was harassed by a Basij-affiliated security agent under the pretext of not wearing proper Islamic dress, and her clothes were torn. In an act of civil disobedience, she removed her clothing. This incident triggered a wave of protests in solidarity with this student and in reaction to mandatory hijab and sexual violence against women in Iran and worldwide, which will be examined in this investigative report.
Iran and Islamic Hijab in the Last Century
A woman is holding a placard that says: “We did not revolutionize for our situation to get worse.”
1979 International Women’s Day protests in Tehran
Iran, a country with a rich and complex history and culture, has witnessed many social, political, and religious transformations over the past century. During this period, the issue of hijab and women’s dress codes has become one of the most sensitive and controversial topics. From the early 20th century, Iran underwent fundamental changes in various social and cultural fields. Among these, the issue of Islamic hijab and the regulation of women’s dress has always been linked to state policies and social transformations.
During the Qajar era, women’s dress was primarily based on Islamic traditions. However, in the early 20th century, particularly during the reign of Reza Shah Pahlavi, the government sought to promote a Western and modern style of dress in the country. Some of these measures, such as the unveiling law in 1936, led to opposition from certain religious groups and clerics.
After the 1979 Islamic Revolution, which resulted in the victory of religious forces led by Ayatollah Khomeini, Iran became an Islamic Republic, and the law of mandatory hijab was passed as one of the first actions of the new government. This law required women to adhere to Islamic dress codes, especially wearing hijab in public spaces. Following this, the ban on women without hijab entering government offices was enforced in 1980, and eventually, the ban on unveiled women in public places was implemented in 1981. Since then, mandatory hijab has become one of the most controversial and debated social issues in Iran.
Over the past four decades, there have always been protests and resistances against mandatory hijab in Iran. Many Iranian women have considered this law a violation of their personal freedoms and have fought for its change or abolition. This issue, especially after the killing of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman who was arrested by the morality police on September 16, 2022, for not adhering to the hijab, has intensified and turned into the “Women, Life, Freedom” movement and the Mahsa Revolution.
Since then, many women (and even men) have taken to the streets to protest mandatory hijab and gender apartheid, making it the largest challenge the Islamic Republic has faced in the past 45 years.
A 2020 survey by the Gamaan Institute, conducted two years before the start of the Women, Life, Freedom movement, with 50,000 respondents, more than 90% of whom lived in Iran, showed that 72.4% of the Iranian population opposed mandatory hijab, while 15.1% supported it. Additionally, 57.5% of respondents stated they did not personally believe in hijab, while 22.7% did. The findings of this report reflect the views of literate adults over 19 years old (accounting for 85% of the adult population in Iran), with a 95% confidence leveland a 5% margin of error.
IRANIANS’ ATTITUDES TOWARD RELIGION: 2020 SURVEY REPORT (Survey on Hijab)
Hijab After the Women, Life, Freedom Movement in Iran
After the onset of the Women, Life, Freedom movement in Iran, which began in September 2022 following the killing of Mahsa Amini, significant changes occurred regarding Islamic dress and hijab in Iran. This movement, which initially began as a protest against Mahsa Amini’s death in the custody of the morality police, eventually evolved into a widespread movement for civil liberties, women’s rights, and the fight against gender apartheid. It is important to note that one of the main issues at the core of this movement was the topic of women’s hijab and the restrictions placed on it. The movement led to changes and reactions, which are discussed below:
– Widespread Opposition to Mandatory Hijab:
Following the start of the Women, Life, Freedom movement, a large number of women in Iran joined the protests by engaging in civil disobedience, either by removing their hijabs or altering their style of dress. Many women, both in the streets and in public spaces, expressed their opposition to the mandatory hijab laws by removing their hijabs or wearing it in different, informal ways.
– Government Response:
The Iranian government initially took measures to strengthen the enforcement of the mandatory hijab law, including increasing security and social pressures, detaining and threatening to execute protesting women, and launching security projects. At the same time, efforts were made to justify and support the Islamic hijab laws in state-run media and public spaces.
– New Hijab Policies:
After some time, certain government officials began speaking of changes in hijab policies. Some, including Ebrahim Raisi (the then-President), emphasized their firm stance on enforcing the mandatory hijab law. Increasing surveillance and enforcing stricter hijab regulations became one of the Islamic Republic’s main policies. The morality police launched the “Noor Security Plan” a few months after the protests, which included increasing street patrols and intensifying surveillance in public places. The increased presence of police forces in streets, shopping malls, subways, and parks to monitor and confront women without hijab or with “improper hijab” became a new feature of this policy.
An image published on social media one year after the start of the Women, Life, Freedom movement, titled “Tunnel of Horror” at Meydan-e Enghelab-e Eslami Metro Station in Tehran,” November 17, 2023.
– Use of CCTV and Artificial Intelligence:
One of the new aspects of this policy was the use of advanced technologies, such as CCTV cameras and artificial intelligence systems, to identify and confront women. These technologies have been used in many public places, including universities. They help the police identify women and send them warnings or fines, either directly or indirectly (via text messages and calls).
Fars News Agency (A media outlet affiliated with the IRGC) reported the identification of women without hijab using artificial intelligence, June 14, 2023.
Despite these efforts, following the Women, Life, Freedom movement, women continue to demand the end of mandatory hijab and greater freedoms. These developments have led to the formation of a tense atmosphere in Iranian society, sparking further individual and social reactions. One of the most significant of these reactions is the case of Ahoo Daryaei, a young woman who, in response to sexual assault due to her lack of Islamic dress, engaged in an act of civil disobedience by removing her clothes. This protest became a symbol of resistance against sexual violence, and within a few hours, it transformed into one of the most debated social and human rights issues worldwide.
The Girl Whose Body Became a Symbol of Resistance!
An image of “ Ahoo Daryaei” after a civil disobedience action in front of Educational Block 1, Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch; November 2, 2024.
Ahoo Daryaei, also known as the Science and Research Girl, was a seventh-semester French language student at the Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch. On November 2, 2024, after being harassed by a Basij force for not wearing a headscarf, and after her clothes were torn by the Basij agent, she engaged in an act of protest by removing all her clothes. This news was first reported by the Amirkabir Newsletter, which is recognized as the media outlet for the Iranian student movement. Within just a few hours, it drew attention to the serious social and legal issues faced by women in Iran. Ahoo Daryaei’s act of protest quickly became a global symbol of resistance against the imposition of mandatory hijab laws and was recognized by many women and human rights activists as a symbol of resistance for the freedom of choice in dress. Furthermore, less than 26 days later, under the influence of this incident, the European Parliament issued a resolution condemning the worsening human rights situation, discriminatory laws against women, and the intensification of the suppression of women in Iran by the Islamic Republic. The story of Ahoo Daryaei is not only about a specific act of protest but also about the broader demands of Iranian women for freedom, dignity, and equal rights.
A selfie of Ahoo Daryaee in her friend’s car mirror (nature tour in Gorgan); May 7, 2024.
1. What the Eyes Saw:
To uncover the full truth of the events surrounding Ahoo Daryaei’s protest, interviews were conducted with three eyewitnesses: one of Ahoo’s classmates and two other students who were present during the incident. Each provided a unique perspective, corroborating that Ahoo’s civil disobedience—her refusal to wear a headscarf—was met with escalating violence from university officials. The following accounts are presented in full, without alteration, to capture the raw and unsettling nature of what occurred:
Zahra, Ahoo’s classmate, recounts:
“I distinctly remember it was early in the week. Ahoo, a seventh-semester student majoring in French language and literature, was heading to her ‘20th Century French Drama’ class. She was dressed like the other students, having simply removed her headscarf.”
Zahra continues: “As Ahoo climbed the stairs to the first floor of Building 1, a Basij agent in a brown jacket blocked her path. He immediately insulted her for not wearing the headscarf and threatened to take further action if she didn’t comply with the dress code.”
Zahra, assuming the situation would end with a warning, proceeded to class. But moments later, she heard Ahoo’s screams. “I turned back and saw the Basij agent forcibly pulling Ahoo’s headscarf over her face, while violently tearing at her coat, leaving her half-naked.”
Zahra recalls, “I was frightened and didn’t know what to do. Then, I heard Ahoo shouting ‘Help! Help!’ The Basij agent had grabbed her by the collar and was dragging her across the floor, attempting to take her to the security office.”
Amir, another eyewitness, was sitting on a bench in the same building with his friends when the chaos unfolded. He describes:
“I had never seen anything like this at the university before. First, we heard a girl screaming for help, but we weren’t sure what had happened. Moments later, I saw a Basij agent dragging the girl toward the security office. At that point, the faculty security guard came out of his office at the entrance of Building 1 and approached the Basij agent. It seemed like they knew each other—without speaking, the security guard went straight to the girl and insulted her.”
Amir explains that he was hesitant to film the incident due to the presence of numerous surveillance cameras installed throughout the university, especially at the building’s entrance, following the start of the “Women, Life, Freedom” movement. He had previously filmed human rights abuses during the 2022 autumn protests, which led to his temporary expulsion.
He adds, “Ahoo’s attire wasn’t problematic. A female security officer quickly came down to the ground floor, and the officers attempted to force Ahoo into the security office. Since Ahoo wasn’t wearing a headscarf, the male and female security officers, along with the Basij student, tried to pull her torn coat over her head, causing her clothes to tear further. At this point, the security officers, shocked by her half-nakedness, let her go, and Ahoo freed herself, shouting ‘Bastards!’”
An image taken by Amir after the exit of “Ahoo Daryae” from the Educational Block 1 building, from the northwest side of the building; it clearly shows the presence of three security forces (two with sunglasses and one in a blue uniform); November 2, 2024.
Atena, a student who filmed Ahoo Daryaei’s civil disobedience—a video that later became pivotal evidence in the protest and spread globally through major outlets like The Guardian, CNN, and France 24—recalls:
“I heard a scream from the courtyard of Building 1 and was immediately drawn to it. I was in shock, so I quickly switched my phone to recording mode. I saw Ahoo, her face filled with anger. Moments later, she removed all her underwear and stood completely naked, shouting, ‘Is this what you wanted? Are you satisfied now?!’ She then began walking toward the boulevard next to Building 1, attempting to walk alone. At that moment, I noticed several security officers, talking on their phones. A few moments later, three male security officers and two female security officers approached her. At the same time, a white Pride 111 car quickly turned onto the boulevard and stopped directly in front of Ahoo.”
A snapshot from the Atena’s video shows “Sea Deer” being forcibly detained by five security forces and forced into a white Pride 111 car through the rear door; November 2, 2024.
Amir, who had been closely following the events, describes:
“As Ahoo moved, I walked along the sidewalk to witness the unfolding events. A few moments later, I saw the white Pride 111 car stop in front of her. At that point, four or five security officers rushed toward her. They opened the back door of the car and forcibly shoved Ahoo inside. When Ahoo tried to pull her head back, one of the officers slammed her head against the car door, causing it to bleed. Then, they grabbed her by the hands and feet, pulling her into the vehicle. Three additional security officers got into the car, and it sped off, exiting the university through the northern gate.”
2. The Silence of the Night:
After Ahoo Daryaei’s arrest, there was no news of her whereabouts for several hours, sparking concern among friends, family, and the public. It wasn’t until around midnight on November 3 that Saeed, a man who identified himself as a psychiatrist, reached out to the Amirkabir Newsletter (a media outlet connected to the Iranian student movement). In his message, he confirmed that Ahoo had been interrogated by the Intelligence Organization of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) after being forcibly detained for several hours. She was then transferred to the Iran Psychiatric Educational Treatment Center, affiliated with Iran University of Medical Sciences, where she was forcibly admitted to a psychiatric hospital. Saeed stated that Ahoo’s psychological disorder test came back normal, and she exhibited no signs of mental illness.
Iran Psychiatric Educational Treatment Center Entrance Door
One week later, after making contact with Saeed to gather more details about Ahoo’s condition and her treatment, he shared the following account:
“It was sunset when I entered the emergency room and noticed a girl with a bandaged face, escorted by several plainclothes agents. As part of my duties, I approached the room to examine the patient, but a man with an IRGC identification card blocked my way. After a brief exchange, he allowed me to enter and see the girl, who was half-conscious. She introduced herself as Ahoo Daryaei. Though she could barely speak, she responded accurately to my questions. I inquired about her psychiatric history, to which she firmly denied any mental illness. I repeated the question three times, and each time she answered negatively. I asked about any medication she might be using, and again, she denied it. Once I felt she trusted me, I asked her to sit in a chair and conducted a qEEG test by attaching electrodes to her scalp. Due to the emergency room quarantine imposed because of Ahoo’s hospitalization, I was not permitted to take any materials out of the room. I wrote an initial report based on my observations but was later informed by hospital administration on November 4 that, following a decision by the administration, Dr. Ahoo Daryaei’s treatment was reassigned, and I would no longer be allowed to examine her.”
The results of Ahoo Daryaee’s qEEG brain mapping test indicate a normal condition; November 10, 2024.
Saeed continued:
“By November 5, my friends informed me that Ahoo’s treatment had been transferred to a doctor from outside the hospital. These new doctors, approved by the security forces, were allegedly attempting to drive her into a state of madness by administering unknown pills and injections. Meanwhile, the hospital’s emergency room was completely quarantined, and no one was allowed access. The only time I saw General Saeed Montazerolmahdi, the spokesperson for the Islamic Republic Police Force, was on November 6. In the days that followed, the only individuals I saw were security personnel. Despite being Ahoo’s attending physician on her first day of admission, I can confirm that her brain mapping test showed no abnormalities. Everything appeared normal.”
3. The Evolution of Identity:
Ahoo Daryaei, the name she adopted for herself, has undergone significant changes throughout her life. Through an investigation based on documents obtained by hacking into the Iranian Judiciary’s system, it was uncovered that her name was originally Mahla Daryaei before she filed her first official complaint against her ex-husband in 2017. Subsequently, her name was altered to Paria Daryaei in 2021 and 2022, and by November 2024, her name was officially changed to Ahoo Daryaei, according to a query from the Civil Registry system. Zahra, a close friend and classmate, believes that these changes were a result of the challenges Ahoo faced after her divorce, with the name alterations serving as an attempt to reinvent herself and escape her past.
The legal history of the “Science and Research girl” reveals a name change from “Mahla” in 2017 to “Paria” by 2022, with most cases involving domestic violence and public hijab removal.
Despite the narrative of mental instability that the Iranian authorities have attempted to impose on Ahoo, a review of her civil registry records reveals no history of any psychological conditions. These findings contradict the claims made by the Islamic Republic officials, further complicating the portrayal of Ahoo as someone suffering from mental illness.
A review of Ahoo Daryaee’s records from the Iranian Civil Registration Organization confirms no history of mental or neurological disorders
4. What Is the Cost of Lies?:
Seyed Amir Mahjoob, the Public Relations Manager of Islamic Azad University, was the first to publicly comment on the incident involving Ahoo Daryaei. At 7:01 PM on November 2, 2024, Mahjoob posted a message on X (formerly Twitter), stating: “Investigations show that she, due to mental illness, filmed her classmates and professor, which led to their objections. This is a recurring issue. After being confronted by students and security, she quickly ran to the yard and committed an indecent act.” However, at that very moment, Ahoo was being transferred to the emergency room of the Iran Psychiatric Educational Treatment Center, following an interrogation. There were no official reports available at that time regarding Ahoo’s condition.
Seyed Amir Mahjoob’s first tweet regarding “Ahoo Daryaee” came just a few hours after her arrest and before the announcement of the medical results, in which he attributed Ahoo Daryaee’s condition to a mental disorder.
Later that night, at 11:27 PM, Mahjoob posted a video on his personal X page. In the video, a man with his face blurred, who did not explicitly name Ahoo Daryaei, claimed to be her husband and labeled her actions as “disgusting,” urging people not to share the footage of her civil disobedience. Our investigation revealed that this video was filmed by security forces at the Iran Psychiatric Educational Treatment Center on the night of November 2. The man in the video, who introduced himself as Ahoo’s husband, was identified as Parviz Kadhkhoda.
A snapshot from a film that “Seyed Amir Mahjoob” posted on his social media page on X of the ex-wife of “Ahoo Daryaee” at a medical center in Iran; November 2, 2024.
Further investigation confirmed that Ahoo had been separated from her husband for years due to domestic violence. Legal documents support this claim, with one dated September 13, 2017, where Ahoo filed a complaint against her ex-husband for intentional assault and threats. This complaint led to their divorce, underscoring the history of abuse Ahoo endured not only within her home but also from external forces.
The lawsuit filed by “Ahoo Daryaei ” against “Parviz Kadhkhoda” her ex-husband on charges of “intentional assault” and “threats” on September 13, 2017, which ultimately led to her divorce.
On November 6, Fatemeh Mohajerani, the spokesperson for the Iranian government, addressed the situation by stating: “The beginning of the conflict with the ‘Science and Research Girl’ was not a hijab warning.” However, eyewitness accounts from three individuals, each detailing the events from their perspective, confirm that a Basij student initially confronted Ahoo about her hijab and then escalated the situation into physical violence. The government spokesperson further asserted, “There was absolutely no harsh treatment with Ahoo Daryaei, and she was transferred via social emergency services.” This official narrative stands in direct contradiction to the accounts of the eyewitnesses.
One such eyewitness, Amir, captured a photograph showing bloodstains on the asphalt of the Islamic Azad University Science and Research Branch Boulevard (Exactly where the Ahoo Daryaei was detained), indicating that Ahoo’s arrest was executed with severe force. Additionally, the vehicle that transported Ahoo was not an emergency service vehicle as claimed, but a private white Pride 111 car, further corroborating the violent nature of her detention.
An image taken by “Amir” at the site of Ahoo Daryaee’s arrest shows bloodstains on the asphalt, suggesting her arrest was carried out violently.
Zahra, Ahoo Daryaee’s classmate, revealed that after Ahoo’s arrest, security agents tampered with her Telegram account to falsely depict her as supporting the Islamic Republic. However, a snapshot from the account shows her bio stating, “Oh, if my leader gives me a jihad order,” and a profile picture from July 2024 at the Seyed Jalal Hosseini sports complex, where she appears without a hijab, contradicting the altered narrative.
A snapshot from Ahoo Daryaee’s Telegram account after her arrest reveals a clear contradiction between the bio and profile picture, suggesting that security agents had control of her phone.
Following Ahoo Daryaee’s civil disobedience and protest, a heavy security presence was imposed at the Islamic Azad University of Science and Research. Intelligence agencies ordered increased scrutiny of students’ clothing, with male and female students facing insulting criticism. Security vehicles, including pickup trucks and vans, patrolled the campus alongside Basij and security forces on motorcycles, creating a climate of fear. Students were threatened with loudspeakers, and even small gatherings were prohibited, with any protest swiftly met with open threats.
Twelve days after the civil disobedience at Islamic Azad University of Science and Research, an image shows a pickup truck with university security forces on campus. Below, two photos depict security vans, presumably stationed for potential temporary detentions.
The Iranian government has made claims that Ahoo Daryaei’s protest was the result of a personal psychological crisis rather than a political statement. Mahjoob’s assertion that Ahoo filmed her classmates without permission lacks evidence. No official reports or corroborative testimonies substantiate this claim. Furthermore, the report that Ahoo was transferred via “social emergency services” is contradicted by photographic evidence of bloodstains at the scene and the use of a private vehicle for her transport. Medical documentation, as presented by Ahoo’s attending physician, confirms no signs of mental illness, undermining the claim of instability.
Conclusion
Iran is among the countries where freedom of expression is severely restricted, and according to the Press Freedom Index published by Reporters Without Borders, in 2024, Iran ranks 176th out of over 180 countries. However, in this investigative report, an attempt has been made to shed light on the details of Ahoo Daryaei’s case, uncovering one of the Islamic Republic’s complex security projects. The Islamic Republic, as part of its repressive policies, uses psychological and propaganda scenarios to distort the truth and manage public opinion, marginalizing popular protests and hiding the truth from the international community. Government officials make significant efforts to distort the process of suppressing women’s rights and protest movements through media and fabricated reports.
This investigative report also aims to expose the realities behind the Islamic Republic’s security and repressive project and to raise awareness in the international community about the severity of human rights violations in Iran. Since official reports and media of the Islamic Republic have intentionally distorted the facts, it is essential that the truth about these crimes against women, especially regarding the compulsory hijab, be clearly revealed to the world, so that people understand what is happening behind the scenes of these government propaganda campaigns.
Ahoo Daryaei, by protesting against sexual assault and the imposition of compulsory hijab laws, and by turning her body into a symbol of resistance and freedom of choice in clothing, played a historic role. This protest quickly attracted global attention and became a symbol of the fight for human rights and civil liberties for Iranian women.
Finally, while Amnesty International and the fact-finding committee’s human rights rapporteur lack direct access to Iran, this report aims to serve as a catalyst for uncovering the truth about systematic human rights violations in the country. It seeks to hold the Islamic Republic accountable for its oppression of women and the enforcement of gender-based apartheid policies.
