The grave of Mahsa Amini, a young Iranian Kurdish woman whose death sparked widespread protest by Iran’s political and religious leaders, was vandalized, activists and the family’s lawyer announced on Thursday, AFP and Agerpres cited.

Mahsa Amini died at the age of 22 in September after moments of terror following her arrest by Moravian police in Tehran, who accused her of violating the strict dress code imposed on women forced to wear the veil.

The protests that erupted after the young woman’s death challenged the Islamic system imposed in Iran after the 1979 revolution. They have weakened in recent months, but promotions are sporadic.

The young woman, who traveled to Tehran with her family, was buried in her hometown of Sakez in Iran’s Kurdistan province, where some activists say the authorities intend to prevent any public gatherings in her memory.

The Kurdistan Human Rights Network (KHRN), based in France, announced on Wednesday that the grave of the girl, whose Kurdish name is Zina, was attacked on Sunday morning.

Images posted on social media, purportedly from her brother Ashkan’s Instagram account, show that the window protecting Amina’s tombstone image has been smashed.

What Mahsa’s brother Amini says about the incident

“Unfortunately, on Sunday morning, people we know who have acted in a similar manner in the past attacked the grave of Gina Mahsa Amini,” family attorney Saleh Nikbakht said in a statement released to KHRN.

He does not specify who these people are, and adds that the authorities had previously intervened to prevent the construction of a gazebo over the grave.

“Even a window on your grave bothers them? Break it 1000 times and we’ll fix it. Let’s see who gets tired first,” Ashkan Amini said in a message published on social networks.

Mahsa Amini’s family and supporters say the young woman was killed by a blow to the head while incarcerated, but authorities say the death was the result of a heart attack caused by previous ill health.

According to the Norwegian NGO Iran Human Rights (IHR), the crackdown on demonstrations that erupted after her death led to 500 deaths. Iran has hanged seven men in cases related to the demonstrations.

Iran has intensified its persecution of women who do not wear the Islamic headscarf

Activists condemn targeted policies aimed at creating an atmosphere of fear. Amnesty International warned this week that seven more men could be executed in connection with the demonstrations.

At the beginning of the year, Iranian authorities re-instated enforcement of the Islamic headscarf rule, announcing its suspension amid protests.

In April, Iranian police announced the installation of cameras in public places and on the streets to detect and punish women who do not wear the veil.

The decision is aimed at “preventing resistance to the hijab law,” according to a statement released by the Mizan Judiciary news agency and other state media, adding that such resistance tarnishes the country’s spiritual image and spreads insecurity.

Under Iran’s Islamic Sharia law, introduced after the 1979 revolution, women are required to cover their hair and wear long, loose clothing to hide their figures. Those who violate these rules are subject to public reprimand, fine or arrest.