Iran protests: who is Faezeh Hashemi, former President's daughter, held for inciting riots

The daughter of former Iranian President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani has been arrested for allegedly "inciting riots" in the wake of the death of a 22-year-old girl Mahsa Amini in police custody.

A report by the semi-official Tasnim news agency said Faezeh Hashemi was arrested for "instigating riots in east Tehran.

Hashemi, is a 59-year-old prominent women's rights activist, and has a history of run-ins with Iran's security agencies for alleged 'anti-government' activities.

In September 2012, Hashemi spent six months in a Tehran jail on charges of 'propaganda activities' after she reportedly referred to Iran's judiciary as 'thugs and hoodlums who target people'.

Before that, she was arrested a few times during the unrest of 2009, which was triggered by the disputed election of then-President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Her father served as the country's president between 1989 and 1997. A

Tehran and other major Iranian cities have been rocked by angry protests since Amini's death. The protests have taken a violent turn, leaving at least 41 dead, including civilians and police officers. Hundreds of people have also been arrested, including activists.

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