Iranian newspaper editor charged over ‘false’ hijab survey

LONDON: An Iranian newspaper editor has been charged with spreading false information after publishing a survey revealing widespread opposition to Iran’s mandatory hijab laws.

Mehdi Rahmanian, editor-in-chief of the reformist Shargh newspaper, was charged with “dissemination of false information,” Iran International reported.

Akbar Nasrollahi, spokesperson for the Judiciary’s Political and Media Crimes Courts, said that the charge stemmed from a complaint filed by the Tehran prosecutor, accusing the newspaper of a “misleading headline” in an article dated Oct. 25.

In the Shargh headline, the newspaper claimed that 84 percent of the Iranians polled were opposed to the country’s mandatory hijab law.

The survey, which involved 12,300 people, coincided with the approval of the Chastity and Hijab bill by the Iranian parliament, signaling the government’s intent to strengthen restrictions.

The bill, which proposes strict penalties for people who criticize the mandatory hijab, comes amid fierce debate over Iran’s religious dress laws.

Nasrollahi said that a verdict on Rahmanian’s case would be issued in due course. Following the case, the survey results were removed from Shargh’s website.