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Jina Mahsa Amini

Jina Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish Iranian woman, died in police custody in September 2022, accused of improperly wearing a hijab. Her death sparked months of protest, largely led by women and schoolgirls.

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Ayatollah Khomeini's face superimposed on an image of a group of veiled women walking past a skull faced statue of liberty on top of the flag of the United States of America

Ayatollah Khomeini's face superimposed on an image of a group of veiled women walking past a skull faced statue of liberty on top of the flag of the United States of America

Iranian Revolution: From Shah to Mullahs

With the eyes of the world currently on Iran, we're looking back at the history of this Persian Gulf country.

A young Iranian couple sit on a red plastic bench overlooking Tehran

A young Iranian couple sit on a red plastic bench overlooking Tehran

Iran: A mosaic state rife with internal conflicts

The regime has no answers to recurring protests, demands from minorities and deepening environmental crises.

In central Cologne, Germany, candles, flowers and photos of the victims of protests in Iran

In central Cologne, Germany, candles, flowers and photos of the victims of protests in Iran

Protests in Iran: Official casualty figures in doubt

The number of dead in the crackdown on protests in Iran remains unclear. The injured are reportedly avoiding hospitals.

Screenshot of a woman lighting her cigarette from a burning photo of Khamenei

Screenshot of a woman lighting her cigarette from a burning photo of Khamenei

Fact check: Woman burning Khamenei photo not in Iran

A viral video of a woman burning a photo of Khamenei causes outrage. The image is real; however, it's not from Iran.

A view of five young Iranian womem walking in what looks like a pedestrian zone with shops

A view of five young Iranian womem walking in what looks like a pedestrian zone with shops

Iranian women unveiled: A shift in hijab enforcement?

Across Tehran, women of all ages are openly defying compulsory hijab rules. DW spoke with two young women in Iran.

Symbolic photo of a hangman's noose against a black background

Symbolic photo of a hangman's noose against a black background

Iran: Execution spree as part of political crackdown

There has been a dramatic escalation in the number of executions in Iran. Accusations of espionage have also increased.

A portrait of Sharifeh Mohammadi taken outside against a leafy backdrop

A portrait of Sharifeh Mohammadi taken outside against a leafy backdrop

Iranian labor activist Mohammadi still on death row

Rights groups have urged Iran to drop a death sentence for Sharifeh Mohammadi, accused of "armed rebellion."

Picture of a person's chest with a badge bearing the words 'Bella Ciao' tagged on their jacket.

Picture of a person's chest with a badge bearing the words 'Bella Ciao' tagged on their jacket.

Bella Ciao: Protest song in focus after Charlie Kirk killing

A look at the evolution of the Italian protest anthem, from its opaque origins to TikTok remixes and feminist marches.

A protestor holding a portrait of Jina Mahsa Amini

A protestor holding a portrait of Jina Mahsa Amini

Mahsa Amini: 3 years on, will Iran face fresh protests?

Jina Mahsa Amini's death in police custody in 2022 sparked the "Woman, Life, Freedom" movement in Iran.

An Iranian woman, not wearing the mandatory hijab, walks in a street in the capital Tehran

An Iranian woman, not wearing the mandatory hijab, walks in a street in the capital Tehran

Why Iran 'cannot turn back time' on public hijab rule

Despite state repression, Iranian women's resistance to the compulsory headscarf is growing.

Picture of a woman with long hair dyed pink and a man dressed in a blue suit wearing spectacles. Both look disconsolately at the camera.

Picture of a woman with long hair dyed pink and a man dressed in a blue suit wearing spectacles. Both look disconsolately at the camera.

After Berlin success, Iranian directors sentenced to prison

"My Favorite Cake" was acclaimed at the 2024 Berlinale. Its filmmakers have now been sentenced to prison.

A woman walks past a mural painting of Iranian flags in a street in Tehran

A woman walks past a mural painting of Iranian flags in a street in Tehran

Women in Iran fight for rights as economic crisis bites

Women bear the brunt of economic and social restrictions in Iran — and are the country's driving force for change.

The exterior of Tehran's notorious Evin prison

The exterior of Tehran's notorious Evin prison

Fearing new protests, Iran regime starts wave of arrests

Human rights activists are being arrested at random, and even the smallest protests are being brutally suppressed.

In this photo released by the official website of the office of the Iranian supreme leader, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, second right, Judiciary Chief Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejehei, right, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, second left, and President Masoud Pezeshkian read Quran in a ceremony commemorating slain Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, at Imam Khomeini grand mosque in Tehran, Iran, Friday, Oct. 4, 2024

In this photo released by the official website of the office of the Iranian supreme leader, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, second right, Judiciary Chief Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejehei, right, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, second left, and President Masoud Pezeshkian read Quran in a ceremony commemorating slain Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, at Imam Khomeini grand mosque in Tehran, Iran, Friday, Oct. 4, 2024

'Maximum pressure': What's in store for Iran in 2025?

Next year is not looking up for Iran, with Trump's return to the White House and women's resistance at home.

Two young Iranian women

Two young Iranian women

Iran temporarily halts strict new headscarf law

The controversial law proposes harsher punishments for women defying hijab regulations.

Iranian singer Parastoo Ahmady

Iranian singer Parastoo Ahmady

Iran: Singer arrested for performing without hijab

Parastoo Ahmady's lawyers have said they do not know who has arrested her and where she is being detained.

Ballet dancer Vivian Assal Koohnavard dancing on a roof top in Berlin with closed eyes

Ballet dancer Vivian Assal Koohnavard dancing on a roof top in Berlin with closed eyes

Silent protest: Dancing for Iran

Vivian Assal Koohnavard is a dancer at the Berlin State Ballet. She wants to support the women protesting in Iran.

Kianoosh Sanjari, wearing a T-shirt, stands looking at the camera near the open doors of a building

Kianoosh Sanjari, wearing a T-shirt, stands looking at the camera near the open doors of a building

Kianoosh Sanjari: Iran's prisons 'disturbed my soul'

Iranian journalist and activist Kianoosh Sanjari died by suicide this week after demanding the release of prisoners.

President Masoud Pezeshkian holds his reading glasses at a governemt meeting in Tehran

President Masoud Pezeshkian holds his reading glasses at a governemt meeting in Tehran

Iran testing new strategies to soothe an angry public?

Two recent developments could be seen as a signal from Tehran that it wants to placate its critics.

A young woman in Tehran walks past a mural of the Statue of Liberty next to the former US embassy

A young woman in Tehran walks past a mural of the Statue of Liberty next to the former US embassy

Femicide in Iran: Tradition and law enable killing of women

The death of Mahsa Amini shook Iran and the world, but the killing of women for "honor" is often overlooked in Iran.

A mural of Jina Mahsa Amini in Dublin

A mural of Jina Mahsa Amini in Dublin

Iran: Yearning for freedom 2 years after Mahsa Amini's death

The tragic death of Jina Mahsa Amini sparked a protest movement, turning the young woman into a symbol of resistance.

A picture of Narges Mohammadi is seen superimposed over jail bars

A picture of Narges Mohammadi is seen superimposed over jail bars

Iran's political prisoners refuse to be silenced

Iran's female political prisoners have been staging weekly protests against the death penalty, defying the regime.

People holding Jina Amini poster at proest in Germany

People holding Jina Amini poster at proest in Germany

Iran executes man over killing of Revolutionary Guard

An Iranian court had convicted a man of stabbing to death a Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) officer during protests in 2022.

Black-and white printout of Iranian pro-opposition rapper Toomaj Salehi held up at protest in Paris, France

Black-and white printout of Iranian pro-opposition rapper Toomaj Salehi held up at protest in Paris, France

Iran overturns death penalty for rapper Toomaj Salehi

Toomaj Salehi was jailed after supporting widespread protests sparked by the death of Jina Mahsa Amini.

A woman sits in a park, looking down sadly

A woman sits in a park, looking down sadly

Iran: Mother of fatally injured teen refuses to be silenced

Abolfazl Amir-Ataei was just 16 when he sustained a severe head wound from a tear gas canister at a protest.

Two women holding up a sign that reads "Act now. Stop executions in Iran."

Two women holding up a sign that reads "Act now. Stop executions in Iran."

Iran: 'Western pressure can hinder executions'

At least 853 people were executed in Iran last year. Human rights activists suspect the number was actually much higher.

A group of people in front of a shop window

A group of people in front of a shop window

Iran intensifies violent crackdown on women

Women who refuse to wear headscarves are reporting more violent harassment and arrests by Iran's "morality police."

A group of protesters at night shrouded in tear gas smoke in Iran's Mahabad city in West Azerbaijan, seen in 2022

A group of protesters at night shrouded in tear gas smoke in Iran's Mahabad city in West Azerbaijan, seen in 2022

Iran: UN exposes 'crimes' committed against protesters

A UN fact-finding mission in Iran has documented grevious human rights violations during a crackdown on protesters.

Kowsar Eftekhari - Iranische Demonstrantin "Frau, Leben, Freiheit"

Kowsar Eftekhari - Iranische Demonstrantin "Frau, Leben, Freiheit"

'I will be living proof of the violent oppression in Iran'

After Kowsar Eftekhari was blinded during a protest in Iran and an arrest warrant was issued, she fled the country.

Demonstrators wave flags in Hamburg, Germany, decrying the death of Jina Mahsa Amini in Iran

Demonstrators wave flags in Hamburg, Germany, decrying the death of Jina Mahsa Amini in Iran

UN report: Iran to blame for 'violence' behind Amini death

Jina Mahsa Amini's death in police custody prompted widespread protests and a violent crackdown in the Islamic republic.

Women in Tehran walk down the street without a headscarf

Women in Tehran walk down the street without a headscarf

Iran's women vow resistance against 'misogynistic' regime

In Iran, women face daily harassment, but continue demanding their right to expression and self-determination.

Smoke swirls around three women in gas masks protesting the poisoning of schoolgirls in Iran

Smoke swirls around three women in gas masks protesting the poisoning of schoolgirls in Iran

What's behind Iran's 'woman, life, freedom' protests?

The death of a young Iranian woman, Jina Mahsa Amini, in police custody in 2022 sparked an unprecedented revolt.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei votes

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei votes

Iran elections: Low turnout in parliamentary vote

Iran's parliamentary elections saw low voter turnout as candidates competed for a seat in the 290-member parliament.

A female member of the Iranian police special force monitors an area, with only her eyes visible

A female member of the Iranian police special force monitors an area, with only her eyes visible

Emboldened Iran silences critics as world looks elsewhere

In the shadow of the Israel-Gaza war, Iran's rulers are settling scores with internal critics.

Iranian women hold up a flag supporting their football team

Iranian women hold up a flag supporting their football team

Iran: Women attend Tehran derby, but equality fight goes on

FIFA hailed the attendance of women at the recent Tehran derby as "progress," a term which a key activist has rejected

Demonstrators hold placards outside the Iranian Embassy in London

Demonstrators hold placards outside the Iranian Embassy in London

EU honors Iran protest icon Amini with Sakharov Prize

The European Parliament has given its Sakharov Prize to the late Iranian protest figure Jina Mahsa Amini.

An Iranian women holds up her arm at a 2022 protest

An Iranian women holds up her arm at a 2022 protest

What does Mohammadi's Nobel Peace Prize mean?

Narges Mohammadi's Nobel Peace Prize marks a milestone in a decades-long women's rights movement.

Two women shopping in Tehran

Two women shopping in Tehran

Iran's women defend themselves against state violence

Iran's system is being challenged by a women's rights movement spurred by resistance to wearing headscarves.

Iranians in Norwaz protest against the arrest of Salehi in October 2022

Iranians in Norwaz protest against the arrest of Salehi in October 2022

Jailed Iranian rapper Toomaj Salehi released on bail

Salehi was imprisoned for his support for the anti-government protests following the death of Jina Mahsa Amini.

Iran Narges Mohammadi in Teheran

Iran Narges Mohammadi in Teheran

Iran: Fears for jailed Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi

2023 Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi has been allowed to see a doctor. Her husband still fears for her life.

A women hold up her hand, painted in red with the inscription "freedom"

A women hold up her hand, painted in red with the inscription "freedom"

Iran: No headscarf, no job for protesting actresses

Iranian actresses who defy the so-called morality police and go out without a headscarf have been banned from working.

A photo of Armita Geravand, who allegedly died after a suspicious incident involving Iran's morality police on Tehran's metro

A photo of Armita Geravand, who allegedly died after a suspicious incident involving Iran's morality police on Tehran's metro

Iran: Teen dies after alleged brush with morality police

Armita Geravand's passing comes a year after mass protests over the death of another woman while in police custody.

Two smiling women standing close together in a room. They are both wearing headscarves that are draped loosely over their hair.

Two smiling women standing close together in a room. They are both wearing headscarves that are draped loosely over their hair.

Iran regime intimidates journalists with long prison terms

Two award-winning journalists who reported on the death of Jina Mahsa Amini have been sentenced to long prison terms.

A selfie taken by Armita Geravand without a headscarf

A selfie taken by Armita Geravand without a headscarf

Iran: Teen Armita Geravand 'brain dead' after hijab incident

Armita Geravand has been in a coma since her encounter with Iran's "morality police" on the Tehran subway.

Protesters gather in London to protest against the Iranian regime following the death of Jina Mahsa Amini

Protesters gather in London to protest against the Iranian regime following the death of Jina Mahsa Amini

Amini wins Sakharov Prize: Will it help Iranian women?

The award brings hope to women in Iran. Whether it will reinvigorate the cause remains to be seen.

Supporters of Iran's women's movement hold a banner of Jina Mahsa Amini in Berlin

Supporters of Iran's women's movement hold a banner of Jina Mahsa Amini in Berlin

Jina Mahsa Amini wins EU's Sakharov Prize

Amini's death in custody after her arrest by Iran's morality police sparked mass protests.

A CCTV image of Tehran's metro

A CCTV image of Tehran's metro

Iran 'morality police' under scrutiny after girl put in coma

Activists say a 16-year-old girl is in a coma at a Tehran military hospital after being beaten on a subway.

Protesters hold a giant banner bearing the names of people who were killed in the passing year including this of Jina Mahsa Amini

Protesters hold a giant banner bearing the names of people who were killed in the passing year including this of Jina Mahsa Amini

Iran: Schoolgirl reportedly in coma after security assault

The 16-year-old girl was assaulted by the morality police on Iran's underground, a rights group said.

Protesters hold placards and flags during a rally marking the one-year anniversary of the death of Mahsa Amini in detention in Iran on the steps of Parliament in Melbourne on September 16, 2023.

Protesters hold placards and flags during a rally marking the one-year anniversary of the death of Mahsa Amini in detention in Iran on the steps of Parliament in Melbourne on September 16, 2023.

Amini family barred from marking anniversary — rights groups

Iranian authorities prevented Amini's family from commemorating the first anniversary of her death in police custody.

A woman holds her arm up in protest as a fire burns on a road

A woman holds her arm up in protest as a fire burns on a road

Berlin vows support for Iranian people on Amini anniversary

One year after Amini's death, Germany's foreign minister says Berlin won't "leave the people of Iran on their own."