Tehran: After nearly four months of deadly protests against the measures, Iran's judiciary has ordered police to "firmly punish" those who violate the country's hijab law, according to a news agency.

Demonstrations have swept Iran since the death in custody on September 16 of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old ethnic Kurd, following her arrest in Tehran for allegedly failing to follow the law.

Since the protests began, the morality police unit in charge of enforcing hijab rules has been less visible, and women have taken to the streets without the required headscarves.

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However, authorities have shown less tolerance since the beginning of the year, with police advising women to wear headscarves even in cars.

According to Mehr news agency, the prosecutor general issued a directive on Tuesday ordering "police to firmly punish any hijab violations."

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"Courts must sentence violators to additional penalties such as exile, prohibitions from practising certain professions, and workplace closures, in addition to fines," the judiciary said.

Iran has executed four people in response to the protests sparked by Amini's death in the morality police's custody. Another 13 people have been sentenced to death, and six have had their cases retried.

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Authorities say hundreds of people have been killed, including security personnel, and thousands have been arrested in connection with the protests, which they call "riots."

The judiciary has recently closed several cafes and restaurants for serving bare-headed women.