Iranian Journalist Protesting Hijab Released on Bail

Dina Qalibaf, a journalist and activist protesting the mandatory hijab, was released on bail after nearly two weeks of detention.

Security forces apprehended her at her residence on April 16.

A day before her arrest, she had posted on social media about an encounter with Iran's morality police, alleging sexual assault.

Imprisoned Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi said in a voice message from the prison that Qalibaf had signs of bruising and recounted experiencing sexual assault.

On April 15, Qalibaf disclosed on social media that police had detained her at a Tehran metro station over an alleged improper hijab. 

She detailed being taken to a room where she endured electric shocks and sexual assault. 

This public disclosure of custodial torture led to her arrest the following day by security forces.

Qalibaf said the officer touched her face while her hands were restrained.

Qalibaf, a political science undergraduate, was reportedly summoned by the university's disciplinary committee last year for participating in a student protest against an execution.