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Protests in Tehran over the death of Mahsa Amini
Photo: STR/EPA
The US government imposes sanctions on morality police and top security officials after the death of a young woman in Iran.
The morality police are responsible for violence against Iranian women and violating the rights of peaceful protesters, the US Treasury Department said.
High-ranking executives from various security organizations in the country are also affected by the measures, including the head of the moral police.
These officials oversee organizations that routinely use violence to repress peaceful protesters and members of Iranian civil society, according to the ministry.
At least 17 people have died in recent protests and riots in dozens of Iranian cities.
Both security forces and demonstrators were among the victims, state television reported.
The protests were triggered by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in Iranian police custody.
She was arrested by the Morality Police just over a week ago for violating the strict Islamic dress code.
What exactly happened to Amini after her arrest is unclear.
She fell into a coma and died in a hospital on Friday.
"The US government strongly condemns this "ruthless act" and calls on the Iranian government to end violence against women and the ongoing violent repression of freedom of expression and assembly," said US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen.
As a result of the sanctions, any possessions of those affected in the USA will be frozen, and US citizens will be prohibited from doing business with them.
Germany wants to bring the case of the 22-year-old Amini, who died in Iranian police custody, before the UN Human Rights Council.
This was announced by Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.
If women are not safe, then no society in this world is safe, said the Green politician.
"That's why the brutal attack on the courageous women in Iran is also an attack on humanity." The Amini case is a breach of women's rights and thus a violation of human rights by Iran.
til/dpa
