The Stream

Kurds protest for #JusticeForFarinaz after hotel maid falls to her death

Maid rumoured to be fleeing attempted rapist when she died.

The suspicious death of a Kurdish woman has ignited protests in the Iranian city of Mahabad. Farinaz Khosrawani fell to her death earlier this week from the fourth floor of Hotel Tara, where she worked as a chambermaid. Residents of Mahabad are furious over a report spread online that Khosrawani was fleeing an Iranian official who was threatening to rape her.

 

Police have launched an investigation into Khosrawani’s death, and are holding an individual in detention in connection with the incident. However, they deny that an Iranian official was involved in the case.

 

Protesters in the predominantly Kurdish city gathered outside the hotel where Khosrawani worked. The demonstration became violent as the hotel was set on fire and several were injured. The human rights organisation Amnesty International has called on Iranian police to act with restraint after reports emerged of protesters clashing with police in riot gear.