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Biography
Zahra Bani Yaghoub (Persian: زهرا بنی یعقوب ) (also mentioned in the media as Zahra Bani Ameri October 16, 1980 – October 13, 2007) was an Iranian medical doctor, who died unexpectedly in a prison in Hamedan, after she was arrested by the moral police. The incident gained attention among many bloggers, due to possible involvement of moral police in her death.
Born in Tehran, Bani Yaghoub had studied at Tehran University medical school and was working as a volunteer physician in Hamedan Province.
Iranian officials claimed that the victim committed suicide by hanging herself. However the lawyer did not accept the claims and requested investigations.
Zahra Bani Yaghoub was a distinguished young medical doctor and had several recognitions including her top rank in nationwide university entrance examination. The police told her father: "Iran does not need such medical doctors."
In 2007, Iranian police launched a "Public security plan and Moralization Campaign". Many Iranian citizens including many women were arrested and questioned for unIslamic attitude.
Nobel Laureate Shirin Ebadi has taken the case and is currently the official lawyer of Zahra Bani Yaghoub's family.