Official signals suspension of Iran’s morality police

Iran’s so-called morality police unit, whose actions sparked months of protests, has been suspended, a top Iranian official said Sunday — although the status of the force remains uncertain.

The protest movement took off in September after the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in the custody of Iran’s Guidance Patrol, or morality police, who detained her over an alleged violation of the country’s conservative dress code for women. Family members and activists say she was beaten to death and accused the government of a coverup. Authorities deny it.

More than 400 people have been killed, and more than 15,000 arrested, in the crackdown on demonstrations.