Over 2,200 Hijab Cases Filed In Past Four Months

The Iranian Judiciary has reported that a total of 2,251 hijab-related cases were filed during the initial four months of the current Iranian year.

Masoud Setayeshi, the spokesman for Iran's Judiciary, disclosed the figures, adding that out of the 2,251 hijab cases, 825 resulted in convictions, 344 were prohibited from prosecution, while 167 defendants were acquitted.

The penalties for those attempting to remove the hijab remain fierce. "The people who attempt to remove the hijab will be…sentenced to pay a fine equal to 15 million rials ($30) for the first time, and for the second time, in addition to the fine, they will also be sentenced to additional punishments," he said, without elaborating.

Setayeshi admitted that women found flouting the hijab in public roles such as celebrities or public figures, will be dealt with even more harshly, as has been seen since September, when athletes, actresses and others have faced the likes of travel bans, pay cuts, bank freezes and social media bans.

Recently, a hijab bill was passed by a parliamentary committee proposing penalties for celebrities who violate hijab rules, including the potential confiscation of up to 10 percent of their assets and incomes, part of ongoing attempts to curb the ever swelling tide of rebellion. 

The bill defines "inappropriate clothing" as revealing the neck, arms above the wrist, and legs above the ankles, and will be subject to an increased cash fine of up to 500 million rials ($1,000) for the first offense.

However, legal experts have raised concerns over the new bill, asserting that it not only violates civil rights but also the Constitution, necessitating resources that exceed the government's means.