It’s been more than six months since state officials removed Iran’s Guidance Patrol (nicknamed “morality police”) from active duty on the streets of Iran. On Sunday, the force returned to patrolling to enforce the country’s modesty laws.
Shariah in the country states that women must wear hijabs and loose-fitting clothing to maintain modesty, in accordance with Islamic tradition.
Since 2006, the Gasht-e Ershad, or Guidance Patrol, has enforced the law by monitoring that women cover their hair with a hijab. Men have also been targeted but not nearly as frequently, as reported by The New York Times. Punishments in the past have ranged from verbal warnings and fines to arrests and beatings.
The alleged beating and death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini while in police custody led to protests across the country in September and the force’s uncertain status in December when officers were no longer patrolling the streets.
Earlier this year, protests receded as more than 500 protesters were killed and 20,000 detained, reported NPR. Instead, protesters turned toward silent defiance rather than rioting.
On Sunday, police spokesperson Saeed Montazerolmahdi announced that the Guidance Patrol would once again be on the streets to “deal with those who, unfortunately, ignore the consequences of not wearing the proper hijab and insist on disobeying the norms,” per BBC.
“If they disobey the orders of the police force, legal action will be taken, and they will be referred to the judicial system,” he said.
Some speculation exists as to whether the patrol will be able to impose the country’s dress code like they did before, as BBC reported, because as one college student told Reuters, “the number of people who do not obey is too high now.”