Tragedy struck as Armita Garawand, a 16-year-old student hailing from Tehran, breathed her last on a sorrowful Saturday. Her untimely death came after enduring a month of intensive medical treatment and an arduous 28-day stay in the confines of an intensive care unit. The Borna news agency, associated with the youth ministry, was the bearer of this somber news.
This unfortunate turn of events can be traced back to a disputed incident that unfolded within Tehran’s metro system. Armita Garawand, an ethnic Kurd, fell unconscious while traveling on the subway, setting in motion a chain of events that would ultimately lead to her tragic end.
The initial accounts of this case were brought to light on the 3rd of October by the Kurdish-focused rights group, Hengaw. Their report indicated that she had sustained severe injuries during an occurrence within the underground rail network.
Authorities, in contrast, maintain that the young girl experienced an abrupt and significant drop in blood pressure during her metro journey. They categorically denied the existence of any form of “physical or verbal altercations” involving her and fellow commuters.
However, human rights organizations have vehemently disputed this official narrative. They contend that the teenager fell victim to a brutal assault by members of Iran’s morality police, a contention that has ignited a heated debate and raised concerns about the safety and well-being of citizens while using public transportation.
Tragically, this incident took place just over a year after the heartbreaking demise of Mahsa Amini, another young Iranian Kurd. She lost her life following her arrest by the morality police, allegedly for violating Iran’s stringent dress code for women. Her death served as a catalyst for widespread protests throughout Iran, shedding light on the harsh enforcement of societal norms.
In the aftermath of this grim episode, Iran’s Tasnim news agency cited medical professionals who revealed the specifics of Armita Garawand’s deteriorating health. They explained that she had suffered a fall that resulted in traumatic brain damage. Subsequent convulsions, a decline in cerebral oxygen supply, and the development of cerebral edema followed her sudden and perilous drop in blood pressure.
