Authorities in Iran reportedly detained Mahsa Amini's father briefly on the first anniversary of her death to prevent the family from holding a vigil in her memory. On September 16, Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian woman died in the custody of moral police. She was allegedly beaten in police custody, after being detained, for flouting the country's strict dress code.
Amini's death had triggered protests led by women in Iran. Women from across the globe showed solidarity towards the protests too. They showed their anger by chopping off their hair and burning hijabs. At least 500 people, including 71 minors, were killed in the protests, while hundreds were wounded and thousands arrested. The protests lasted for several months.
Mahsa's father Amjad Amini was arrested early on Saturday and released after being warned not to hold a memorial service at his daughter’s graveside. The official IRNA news agency, however, denied that Amjad Amini had been arrested and said that they had foiled an assassination attempt against him, Al Jazeera reported.
On Saturday, security forces cracked down on protests in Kurdish areas of the country. The Revolutionary Guards conducted several arrests to prevent unrest and sabotage.
There were indications of protests in several parts across the country. In a statement on Friday, US President Joe Biden said, "Mahsa's story did not end with her brutal death. She inspired a historic movement — Woman, Life, Freedom — that has impacted Iran and influenced people across the globe."
