LONDON: Women detained by Iranian security forces amid anti-government protests in the country are facing sexual and physical assault in prisons, a human rights activist has told the BBC.
Narges Mohammadi, deputy head of the Defenders of Human Rights Center, is serving a long jail sentence in Iran鈥檚 Evin prison.
She wrote a letter to the BBC detailing physical and sexual abuse of women detainees who were arrested following protests around the country, which began in September following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini.
Mohammadi said that one prominent woman activist had her limbs tied to a hook inside the vehicle transporting her to Evin prison. Once the activist was transferred, she was sexually assaulted by prison officers, resulting in bruising and scarring across her body.
A woman protester who was arrested also faced sexual assault while being transferred to prison on a motorcycle with two security officers, Mohammadi added.
The activist said: 鈥淣ot revealing these crimes would contribute to the continuation of application of (these) repressive methods against women.
鈥淭herefore, it seems that the assault on women activists, fighters and protesters in Iran should be widely and powerfully reported at the global level.
鈥淚n the absence of powerful independent civil organizations, the attention and support of the media and international human rights organizations and global public opinion (are) essential.鈥�
In her letter to the BBC, Mohammadi hailed Iran鈥檚 鈥渂rave, resilient, lively and hopeful鈥� women, adding: 鈥淰ictory means establishing democracy, peace and human rights and ending tyranny.
鈥淲e will not back down.鈥�
Iran state media has denied that authorities have sexually assaulted women protesters, claiming that all-female staff are responsible for overseeing women鈥檚 prison wards.