SW News: A teenage girl who became the symbol of defiance after being released from an Iranian jail as a result of her involvement in the anti-hijab protests claimed that the regime had kidnapped and beaten her twice before.

The Hengaw Organization for Human Rights reported that 17-year-old Sonia Sharifi was tortured and abused by Iranian government forces after being kidnapped. The organization said that she was left alone in one of the streets of Abdanan after being threatened, interrogated, and tortured for more than two hours.

In Iran, the image of Sharifi standing on top of a car with her fists up became a representation of defiance. The Kurdish student is one of thousands who were subjected to the Islamic Republic's repressive measures after the marches of the previous year.

She was taken into custody by the Iranian government on November 19, 2022, and after nearly a month in custody, she was temporarily released on bail from Ilam Central Prison on December 15, 2022. The event took place about a month ago ahead of the anniversary of Kurdish girl Mahsa Amini's death while in police custody, which spurred anti-hijab protests throughout the nation.

According to Iranian media, security personnel have started to intimidate and harass protesters as the anniversary draws near. Hengaw said that Sharifi suffered multiple injuries during her abduction. She shared a picture of her injured forehead on her Instagram page.

Rights group Human Rights Watch in its World 2023 report states that women face discrimination in personal status matters related to marriage, divorce, inheritance, and decisions relating to children. Under the civil code, a husband is accorded the right to choose the place of living and can prevent his wife from having certain occupations if he deems them against family values. Iranian law allows girls to marry at 13 and boys at age 15, as well as at younger ages if authorized by a judge.