An Iranian student who undressed as a sign of protest against harassment by members of the Revolutionary Guards was arrested in Tehran, reported activist groups on social media.

The young woman, whose identity has not been disclosed, is a student at the Azad University of Tehran and was harassed by members of the Basij militia, according to these activists. As a form of protest, she undressed in front of the university and walked in the streets in her underwear, according to a video.

Initially shared by the Iranian student site Amir Kabir, the video was published by many Persian sites, including the legal site Dadban, the human rights group Hengaw and the news site Iran Wire. The video appears to have been taken by residents of a nearby building. Other footage shows the young woman being forced into a car by men in civilian clothes.

According to the Amir Kabir site, she was beaten during the arrest. The Iranian news agency Fars reported the incident and published a blurred photo of the student. According to the agency, the young woman was wearing ''inappropriate'' clothing in class and ''undressed'' after being warned by security officers.

Islamic law in Iran enforces a very strict dress code for women, requiring them to wear headscarves and loose clothing that conceals their figure. According to Fars, citing ''witnesses,'' the officers spoke ''calmly'' to the young woman and did not act aggressively.

Iranian women have been at the forefront of an unprecedented protest movement in the country following the death of young Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini in September 2022, who was arrested for not complying with the dress code. The ''Woman, Life, Freedom'' movement has been met with harsh repression by Iranian authorities, resulting in at least 551 deaths and thousands of arrests, according to NGOs.

This article was originally published in French in L'Orient-Le Jour. 

Arrestation d'une étudiante qui s'était dévêtue en signe de protestation