Armita Garavand's Family Implicitly Confirms Brain Death
Following the release of a report concerning Armita Garavand, a 16-year-old who
Hengaw Sunday, October 22, 2023
Following the release of a report concerning Armita Garavand, a 16-year-old who fell into a coma 21 days ago after an encounter with enforcement officials regarding hijab regulations, her family indirectly confirmed this information during an interview with Hengaw.
On Sunday, October 22, 2023, Armita's father, Bahman Garavand, shared in an interview with Hengaw: "Armita's medical team has informed us that her brain is no longer functioning, and there is no hope of recovery." While not explicitly using the term "brain death," Armita's father indicated that her physical condition has remained unchanged since her admission, and medical experts have expressed pessimism regarding her recovery.
Yesterday, the Tasnim news agency, linked to the IRGC, issued a report titled "Confirmation of Armita Garavand's Brain Death." This report did not offer specific details about the events of the past 21 days but reiterated earlier claims that she was not subjected to physical abuse by authorities, citing isolated assurances.
As previously reported by Hengaw, Armita has not undergone any surgical procedures since her initial admission due to her deteriorating condition.
In line with our prior coverage, the interviews with friends, family, and eyewitnesses at the "Shohada" subway station, pertaining to the circumstances leading to Armita Garavand's injuries, which were published in government-controlled media, have been under the control of security authorities and remain unverifiable.
On the morning of Sunday, October 1, 2023, Armita Garavand, a 16-year-old originally from Kermanshah and residing in Tehran, encountered a physical altercation with morality police in the "Shohada" subway in Tehran due to non-compliance with mandatory hijab rules. Subsequently, she collapsed and was admitted to Fajr Hospital. Both her hospitalization room and the hospital itself have been subjected to stringent security measures.
This incident raises significant human rights concerns, underscoring a severe violation of Armita Garavand's civil liberties, including her right to freedom of choice and personal opinions. Her non-compliance with mandatory hijab regulations resulted in physical harm, constituting a breach of her fundamental rights.
