Iran Says Medical Report Finds Mahsa Amini Died Due To Illness, Not Beatings: Report

Amini was detained in September by Iran's morality police, who said she didn't properly cover her hair with hijab. 

Women hold signs and chant slogans during a protest over the death of Iranian Mahsa Amini in Istanbul

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Iran said on Friday that a medical report has found 22-year-old Iranian-Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini died due to illness and not beatings by the morality police, AFP reported. Amini was detained in September by the morality police, who said she didn't properly cover her hair with hijab. She collapsed at a police station and died three days later.

In its report, Iran's Forensic Organisation said "Mahsa Amini's death was not caused by blows to the head and vital organs and limbs of the body". Her death was related to "surgery for a brain tumour at the age of eight", the report said as quoted by AFP.

Following her death, police had said Amini suffered a heart attack after being taken to a station to be "educated". Her family, however, denied she had any heart problems. Her father said Amini had bruises on her legs, and held the police responsible for her death.

Amini's death set off protests in dozens of cities across the country, with young women marching in the streets and publicly cutting off their hair. Several women, in order to show solidarity with the victim, also burnt their hijabs. 

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The Iranian government has responded with a fierce crackdown, with hundreds of demonstrators, reformist activists, and journalists being arrested since the unrest first erupted after Amini's death on September 16.  Reports in state-run media said there have been at least 1,900 arrests connected to the protests. 

An Oslo-based group called Iran Human Rights has estimated that at least 154 people have been killed, AP reported.

On Thursday, the US imposed sanctions on Iran's interior and communications ministers and several law enforcement leaders. The US designated seven high-ranking leaders for financial penalties due to the shutdown of Iran's internet, repression of speech and violence inflicted on protesters and civilians, AP reported.

Last month, the morality police and the leaders of other Iranian law enforcement agencies were hit with a round of sanctions by the US.

(With inputs from agencies)