Iran: in Qom and Boroudjerd, a mysterious case of poisoning of schoolgirls
Religious in front of the Fatima Masoumeh sanctuary in Qom on February 7, 2023 (photo illustration).
AP - Vahid Salemi
Text by: RFI Follow
1 min
A case of poisoning of young schoolgirls in the holy city of Qom, but also in Boroudjerd, another Iranian city, has provoked many reactions across the country.
Parents gathered several times to protest against these poisonings.
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With our correspondent in Tehran,
Siavosh Ghazi
Since the end of November, the local media have reported cases of poisoning by the respiratory route of several hundred girls in schools in Qom.
Deputy Health Minister Youness Panahi confirmed the poisoning cases on Sunday February 26, saying that some individuals wanted all schools, especially those for girls, to be closed.
He added that the poisoning was caused by chemical components available on the market.
This case comes as Iran was shaken by a protest movement after the death on September 16 of Mahsa Amini, arrested by the morality police for disrespecting the Islamic veil.
Education is compulsory in Iran for both boys and girls.
In universities, girls represent 55% of students.
Is this an action by ultra-conservative groups hostile to girls' education, or a provocation to revive the protest movement?
In any case, an investigation has been opened to find out the origin of these incidents.
► To read also: Iranian independent cinema honored at the 73rd edition of the Berlinale
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