Iranian sport climber Elnaz Rekabi, who competed in the Asian Championships without a headscarf and then disappeared, according to the BBC, is returning to her home country. This is reported by the Iranian embassy in South Korea.
She left Seoul today along with the rest of the Iran team, a statement said.
The athlete took the spotlight on Sunday by attending championships in the South Korean capital Seoul without a headscarf. Rekabi received a lot of support worldwide after her action, but at the same time the possible consequences were also discussed.
Since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Iranian women have been required to cover their hair with a headscarf in public and to wear long, loose-fitting clothing, including when participating in athletic competitions.
The BBC reports that Rekabi was originally scheduled to return on Wednesday, but the flight appears to have been brought forward. It’s not clear what awaits them in Iran. Iranian-Canadian journalist Maziar Bahari fears she will be arrested immediately upon arrival in Evin prison, where many opponents of the Iranian regime are being held.
The Iranian embassy writes nothing about what is happening to Rekabi, but writes “all the fake news and misinformation” to contradict her.
According to the BBC, friends of Rekabi have not been able to reach her since Sunday evening. Her phone and passport would have been confiscated. The Iranian team has also left the Seoul hotel, a BBC journalist found out.
Rekabi, 33, entered the finals of the lead contest on Sunday, where she finished fourth in action sporting a ponytail and a headband.
“Historical” and “an incredible moment for Iranians,” it said on social media. The risk of their actions was heard in Iranian media. “It remains to be seen how the Ministry of Sports will react to this action,” Iranian newspaper Hamshahri wrote on Monday.
“What is normal for almost all countries is an incredible moment for Iranians as women have been forced to cover their hair even when competing outside of Iran for 43 years,” tweeted a BBC correspondent in the region.
Protests erupted in Iran over a month ago following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini. Morality police arrested her in Tehran for not wearing her headscarf in accordance with the Islamic dress code. Eyewitnesses said she was attacked after her arrest. Amini fell into a coma and died in hospital three days later. This led to many protests.
The Iran protests declared:
Source: NOS
I am David Miller, a highly experienced news reporter and author for 24 Instant News. I specialize in opinion pieces and have written extensively on current events, politics, social issues, and more. My writing has been featured in major publications such as The New York Times, The Guardian, and BBC News. I strive to be fair-minded while also producing thought-provoking content that encourages readers to engage with the topics I discuss.
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