Mahsa Amini’s Family Under Pressure to Cancel Ceremony

Mahsa Amini's family is under pressure from security forces to cancel a planned ceremony to mark 40 days since her death, a human rights organization said on Tuesday.

The 22-year-old died last month in the custody of the morality police after she was arrested for allegedly wearing the hijab incorrectly. Her death sparked mass anti-government protests which have continued for weeks across Iran.

Hengaw human rights organization reported that government intelligence agencies have ordered the mourning family to release a statement cancelling the ceremony or Ashkan, Mahsa's brother, will be arrested.

"Mahsa Amini’s family is under a lot of pressure from the Iranian security agencies to issue a statement regarding the ceremony marking 40 days since Mahsa’s death. Her brother and other relatives have been threatened with arrest," Hengaw reported.

🎥 برادر مهسا امینی، در آستانه چهلمین روز کشته شدن خواهرش این ویدیو را از مزار او منتشر کرده است. #مهسا_امینی #اعتصابات_سراسری pic.twitter.com/4E6BbGvMzf

— ایران وایر (@iranwire) October 25, 2022

A statement attributed to Amini's family was published on Tuesday, which said, "in order to prevent any unfortunate issues," the ceremony will not go ahead.Ashkan Amini, Mahsa’s brother, also posted a video of his sister's grave on his Instagram.

There have been several calls over the past few days for nationwide protests to mark the 40th day since Amini’s death.

The recent wave of protests first focused on Iran’s strict dress code for women, but soon grew into one of the most serious challenges to the country’s establishment, with demonstrators clashing with security forces and calling for the downfall of the Islamic Republic. 

Authorities have waged a violent crackdown on the protesters, killing at least 215 people, including 27 children, according to one human rights organization. Several thousand people have been arrested.