People participate in a rally in support of Iranian women hold a poster reading 'Women Life Freedom', in Paris, France, 09 October 2022. This demonstration takes place following the deaths of Mahsa Amini, who died while in police custody after being detained by Iran's morality police, and Hadis Najafi, who was shot during a protest in Iran. EPA-EFE/CHRISTOPHE PETIT TESSON The death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody has sparked protests across Iran and internationally, with demonstrators calling for the downfall of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Citing her death and the subsequent protests, Britain said it had sanctioned the morality police in its entirety, as well as both its chief, Mohammed Rostami Cheshmeh Gachi, and the Head of the Tehran Division, Haj Ahmed Mirzaei.
"These sanctions send a clear message to the Iranian authorities – we will hold you to account for your repression of women and girls and for the shocking violence you have inflicted on your own people," Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said in a statement.
Iranian authorities have described the protests as a plot by Iran's foes, including the United States.
The sanctions were made using British laws designed to encourage Iran to comply with international human rights law and respect human rights. They mean that those individuals named cannot travel to Britain and any of their assets held in Britain will be frozen.
Last week, the foreign ministry said it had summoned the Iranian charge d’affaires, Iran’s most senior diplomat in Britain, over the crackdown on the protests.
(Reporting by Muvija M and William James, editing by Sarah Young, William Maclean)