Rouhani orders arrests of culprits behind acid attacks

Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani has instructed three ministries to step up efforts to find culprits behind recent acid attacks in the central city of Isfahan amid national outrage over the inhumane assaults.

Rouhani on Thursday tasked the ministries of the interior, intelligence and justice with launching an investigation into the sensitive case after he was briefed about the acid attacks against young women in Isfahan.

The president also condemned the “inhuman acts” and expressed sympathy with the victims of the attacks.

Reports of a spate of acid attacks against women in Isfahan have triggered grave concerns among the Iranian public and led to widespread speculations in the press and social media.

Iranian authorities also said that security forces have arrested a number of suspects in connection with the attacks, but have not confirmed claims that the women were attacked because they were not dressed appropriately as required by the Islamic dress code.

On October 20, Iranian Judiciary spokesman Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i pledged serious and prompt action regarding the attacks.

He vowed maximum punishment possible for the perpetrators.

He described the acid attacks as unfair, murderous and violent and said, “The issue will be examined immediately and the perpetrators will be given the maximum punishment possible.”

On Wednesday, people held separate gatherings in the capital, Tehran and Isfahan to vent their anger over the acid attacks.