A group of around forty women gathered in front of the Iranian Embassy in Brussels on Tuesday to show their solidarity with Ahou Daryaei and other political prisoners in Iran.
Ahou Daryaei, an Iranian student at Azad University of Tehran, was arrested last week for not wearing her veil correctly. In a protest, the 30-year-old woman undressed and walked in her underwear in front of her university. Neighbours filmed the scene from a nearby building.
The university confirmed her arrest and described her as "suffering from mental disorders." Since her arrest, the doctoral student has been hailed worldwide for her bravery.
She has reportedly been admitted to a closed mental health facility, according to the demonstrators in Brussels.
The protest began around 17:00, near the Solbosch campus of the Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB). "We are here to support all oppressed women, including Ahou Daryaei, and demand her immediate release. We must amplify her voice and not forget her action," said one of the organisers.
Like Ahou Daryaei, the students removed their clothing. "This is a long-term struggle. Of course, we are not naive and know that these actions will not free Ahou Daryaei. But I think it is still important to speak out and raise awareness about this issue," added another organiser.
In addition to calling for the immediate release of the young Iranian woman, the protesters demanded the freedom of all Iranian women in detention.
