The female university student who shed her clothing on Saturday in an apparent protest over Islamic dress code enforcement was not expelled and is now undergoing treatment, an Iranian minister said on Wednesday without providing details.
"Investigations revealed that she is experiencing family and psychological challenges and is currently receiving treatment with her family’s support," science minister Hossein Simaei Sarraf said.
Sarraf provided no additional details about the woman’s medical diagnosis, the reasons for her treatment or where it is taking place.
Footage widely circulated on Saturday showing the woman in her underwear at Tehran's Azad University, with officers eventually forcibly detaining her. A university official later said that the student was sent to a police station due to "severe psychological distress."
The incident ignited an online backlash, with many viewing it as a familiar tactic by authorities to delegitimize female protesters by portraying them as mentally unstable.
Meanwhile, government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani denied reports of any harsh confrontation, saying during a Wednesday press briefing: "The situation was handled very well. There was no harsh confrontation, and she was transferred via social emergency services," she told reporters.
Amnesty Iran has called for the immediate and unconditional release of the student, urging authorities to safeguard her from mistreatment while in custody.
“Authorities must protect her from torture and other ill-treatment and ensure access to (her) family and (a) lawyer,” wrote Amnesty Iran on X.
Rights groups since the crackdowns on the Women, Life, Freedom protests which saw women defying hijab mandates have highlighted allegations of abuse in prison.
"Allegations of beatings and sexual violence against her during arrest require independent and impartial investigation. Those responsible must be held accountable,” the group added.
