The morality police will return to the streets of Iranian cities. The decision was announced by the authorities' spokesman on Sunday 16 July.

Iran's morality police will once again roam city streets. They will return just 10 months after a young woman, Mahsa Amini, died in custody after being detained in Tehran for an alleged dress code violation.

Following the young girl's death mass protests began in Iran. Officially the morality police stopped operating, but women reported that this was not the case. Now the officers are formally back on the streets and will control the girls' clothing and behaviour. According to Iranian law, which is based on the country's interpretation of Sharia, women must cover their hair with the hijab and wear long, loose clothing to conceal their figures.

The morality police unit is tasked with ensuring that the aforementioned rules are followed and detaining women who are perceived to be "inappropriately" dressed. During patrols officers are to warn them first and if women do not comply with the rules afterwards, they will be arrested and legal action will be undertaken.

Many women in Iran have no intention of complying with the current law so even more protests and waves of arrests can be expected.

Source: bbc.com