Rostami Cheshmeh Gachi, Mohammad
"Mohammad Rostami Cheshmeh Gachi serves as the head of Iran’s Morality Police, which has demonstrated a culture of violence and excessive force under his command. In early 2022, Rostami declared that the Morality Police would punish Iranian women who refuse to wear a hijab... Rostami [is] being designated pursuant to E.O. 13553 for having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Iran’s LEF."1
"Mohammad Rostami Cheshmeh Gachi as Head of the Morality Police in Iran is or has been involved in the commission of serious human rights violations or abuse in Iran. The Morality Police enforce Iran’s Islamic dress requirements and are known to use unreasonable force against individuals they deem to be non-compliant. In this role Gachi is responsible for and promotes violations of the right to liberty and security and the right to freedom of expression."2
"Mohammad Rostami Cheshmeh Gachi is the head of Iran’s Morality Police. He was head of the Kermanshah Public Security Police from early 2014 until early 2019 and held senior positions in the Iranian intelligence police. The Morality Police is part of Iran’s Law Enforcement Forces (LEF) and is a special police unit which enforces the strict dress rules for women, including compulsory wearing of a headscarf. The Morality Police has used unlawful force against women for not complying with Iranian hijab laws, sexual and gender-based violence, arbitrary arrests and detentions, excessive violence and torture. On 13 September 2022, the Morality Police arbitrarily arrested 22-year old Mahsa Amini in Tehran, allegedly for wearing a hijab improperly. She was subsequently taken to the Morality Police’s headquarters for an “educational and orientation class”. According to reliable reports and witnesses, she was brutally beaten and mistreated in custody, which led to her hospitalisation and to her death on 16 September 2022. The Morality Police’s abusive behaviour is not confined to that incident and has been widely documented. As head of Iran’s Morality Police, Rostami is responsible for the Morality Police’s actions. He therefore bears responsibility for serious human rights violations in Iran."3
Sources:
1. https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy0969