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The US on Thursday sanctioned the Morality Police and seven senior Iranian government officials for the death in police custody of Masha Amini, the young woman arrested for improperly wearing the hijab, and for the crackdown on protests.
The U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on the Morality Police and two of its leaders, Haj Ahmad Mirzaei and Mohammad Rostami Cheshmeh Gachi, for Amini’s arrest and death.
The US also sanctioned the Iranian Minister of Intelligence, Esmail Khatib; the commander of the Disciplinary Force in the province of Chahar Mahal and Bajtiari, Manouchehr Amanollahi, and the deputy commander of the Disciplinary Force Qasem Rezaei.
Also the head of the Iranian Army Ground Forces, Kiyumars Heidari, and Salar Abnoush, deputy commander of the Basij, a paramilitary militia.
In the statement, the US diplomatic leader condemned the “tragic and brutal death” of 22-year-old Amini and said he mourns his death along with his loved ones and the rest of the Iranian people.
At least 17 people have died in protests that have rocked Iran for the past six days over the death of the young woman after she was arrested for improperly wearing the veil, Iranian state television announced Thursday.
The protests began on Friday after Amini’s death after being detained by the Morality Police for improperly wearing the hijab and have been spreading across the country.
