(Tehran) The death in custody of Mahsa Amini after her arrest in Iran by morality police is linked to a brain disease and was not caused by beatings, according to a medical report released Friday by the Islamic Republic.
Posted at 7:48 a.m.
Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian Kurd, died three days after her arrest on September 13 for violating the Islamic Republic’s strict dress code, which notably requires women to wear the veil.
Protests were sparked in several cities across the country following his death three days later in hospital.
PHOTO ARCHIVES AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Demonstration in Tehran, September 21
Dozens of people, mainly demonstrators but also members of the security forces, have been killed since September 16 during rallies described as “riots” by the authorities, while hundreds of others have been arrested.
The Iranian Forensic Organization said in its report on Friday that “Mahsa Amini’s death was not caused by blows to the head and vital organs”. She is linked to “surgery for a brain tumor at the age of eight”, according to the report published by state television.
“On September 13, [Mahsa Amini] suddenly lost consciousness and then collapsed,” added the same source.
“She suffered from a heart rhythm disorder and a drop in blood pressure. Despite being transferred to Kasra Hospital and the efforts of medical staff, she died on September 16 from multiple organ failure caused by cerebral hypoxia,” the Forensic Organization added.
On September 19, Amjad Amini, Mahsa’s father, told the Fars agency that his daughter was “in perfect health”.