After three days in critical condition, 22-year-old Iranian woman Mahsa Amini died in Tehranian police custody three days after being arrested for violating Iran’s national hijab law, sparking global outrage.

The morality police, a law enforcement unit responsible for enforcing the Islamic Republic’s strict dress code requiring all women in Iran to wear a headscarf and loose-fitting clothing, took Mahsa Amini to Vozara Detention Center after her arrest. There, she was to receive lessons on modesty at the detention center. 

“[Amini’s] mother said in an interview with Iranian news media that her daughter was observing the rules and wearing a long, loose robe,” New York Times writer Farnaz Fassihi said in her article. “She said Ms. Amini was arrested as she exited the subway with her brother, and that his pleas that they were visitors to the city were ignored.”

Just hours after her arrest, Mahsa Amini collapsed and was brought to Kasra Hospital of Tehran where she received treatment in its intensive care unit. News of her hospitalization surfaced due to reports from released detainees of the detention center. On Sept. 15, Iranian law enforcement confirmed Mahsa Amini’s arrest and critical condition, claiming that she had suffered from heart failure.

“A source from the hospital where [Amini] died of brain trauma told Iran International that her brain tissue was crushed after ‘multiple blows’ to the head,” an Iran International writer said in an article. “The source said on [Sept. 17] that Mahsa Amini was taken to Kasra Hospital in capital Tehran while she was not responsive and brain dead.”

Amini’s family opposed the police’s statement, saying that she had no prior heart condition. Many suspect that Mahsa Amini suffered maltreatment while in the custody of Iranian security, including Mahsa Amini’s 17-year-old brother, Kiarash Amini, who was present when she was detained.

“Some witnesses told my son she was beaten in the van and in the police station,” Amjad Amini said in an interview with BBC Persian. “My son begged them not to take her, but he was beaten too. His clothes were ripped off.”

After days in critical condition, Mahsa Amini died in the hospital from what Iranian authorities say were “natural causes”. United Nations experts, however, cite reports that strongly suggest that Mahsa Amini’s death was a result of alleged torture and ill-treatment. 

“We strongly condemn the use of physical violence against women and the denial of fundamental human dignity when enforcing compulsory hijab policies ordained by State authorities,” U.N. human rights experts said in their report “We call on the Iranian authorities to hold an independent, impartial, and prompt investigation into Ms. Amini’s death, make the findings of the investigation public and hold all perpetrators accountable.”

The injustice felt over Mahsa Amini’s death is experienced by her family and thousands across Iran. Protesters are demanding accountability for Ms. Amini’s death; the call for justice for every woman under the ruling of the Islamic Republic rings clear. 

“I won’t allow this to happen in silence. I will speak out so everyone will hear the story,” Kiarash Amini said in an interview with Al-Monitor.