Trio Handed Prison Terms over Mandatory Hijab

A man and two women have been sentenced to one year in prison each, 74 lashes and a fine for "disturbing public order, harassment and appearing in public without proper religious hijab,” local media reported.

The trio can appeal the sentence, which was issued on August 14, according to Hamshahri newspaper.

The report said that the case stems from a conflict that occurred at a medical center in the central city of Arak over the mandatory headscarf for women.

In the incident, a woman “confronted” the trio, accusing the two women of not wearing a proper hijab and demanding that they cover up their hair. A confrontation followed between the woman and the three accused.

The incident occurred amid an intensifying state crackdown on women flouting the Islamic Republic’s strict dress code, with a growing number of defiant women being arrested and prosecuted in recent months.

The government's Hijab and Chastity bill, which would impose harsher penalties for hijab violations, is currently being debated in parliament.