Iranian girl 'brain-dead' after alleged encounter with morality police

DUBAI — A teenage Iranian girl, who fell into a coma earlier this month following an alleged encounter with officers over violating the country's hijab law, is said to be "brain-dead," Iranian state media reported on Sunday.

"Follow-ups on the latest health condition of Armita Geravand indicate that her health condition as brain-dead seems certain despite the efforts of the medical staff," the Islamic Republic of Iran News Network said.

Iranian authorities have denied claims by rights groups that the 16-year-old was hurt after a confrontation on Oct. 1 with officers enforcing the mandatory Islamic dress code in the Tehran metro.

The report on Geravand could revive nationwide protests sparked by the death of 22-year-old Kurdish Iranian woman Mahsa Amini last year in the custody of the morality police.

Last week, the European Union parliament awarded its annual Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to Amini and the "Woman, Life, Freedom" movement in Iran. — Reuters