Elnaz Rekabi didn’t have on a hijab during Sunday’s final event at the International Federation of Sport Climbing’s Asia Championship.
SEOUL, South Korea — An Iranian competitive climber left South Korea on Tuesday after an event in which she climbed without her nation’s mandatory headscarf covering, authorities said. Farsi-language media outside of Iran warned she may have been forced to leave early by Iranian officials and could face arrest back home, which Tehran quickly denied.
Federation officials said Rekabi wore a hijab during her previous appearances at the weeklong climbing event. Whereas most of the women wore shorts and tank tops while competing, she wore a long-sleeved shirt and tights. The Iranian government routinely pressures activists at home and abroad, often airing what rights group describe as coerced confessions on state television.
“Our understanding is that she is returning to Iran, and we will continue to monitor the situation as it develops on her arrival,” the International Federation of Sport Climbing, which oversaw the event, said in a statement. “It is important to stress that athletes’ safety is paramount for us and we support any efforts to keep a valued member of our community safe in this situation.”
So far, human rights groups estimate that over 200 people have been killed in the protests and the violent security force crackdown that followed. Iran has not offered a death toll in weeks. Demonstrations have been seen in over 100 cities, according to the group Human Rights Activists in Iran. Thousands are believed to have been arrested.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Worry grows for Elnaz Rekabi, an Iranian female climber who competed without her nation’s mandatory hijabAn Iranian female competitive climber left South Korea on Tuesday after competing at an event in which she climbed without her nation’s mandatory headscarf covering, authorities said.
Read more »
Concerns Grow for Elnaz Rekabi, Iranian Climber Who Competed Without HijabAn Iranian climber has left South Korea after competing at an event in which she climbed without her headscarf covering.
Read more »
Concerns mount over Iranian climber Elnaz Rekabi after she competed without hijab | CNNA female Iranian climber, who did not wear a hijab at an international competition in South Korea, left for Iran on Tuesday as Iranian groups based abroad raised alarms over her fate back home.
Read more »
Worry grows for Iran climber Elnaz Rekabi, who competed without her hijabThe decision by Iran climber Elnaz Rekabi to forgo a hijab came as protests sparked by the death in custody of Mahsa Amini have entered a fifth week.
Read more »
Elnaz Rekabi, who competed without hijab, hauled back to Islamic Republic for arrest: reportIranian female climber Elnaz Rekabi, who competed in Seoul, South Korea, without a hijab, was put on an early flight back to the Islamic Republic, where she faces possible imprisonment.
Read more »
Iranian Climber Elnaz Rekabi—Who Competed Without Headscarf—Explains Decision Amid Concerns For Her SafetyRekabi competed in the finals of a multinational event in South Korea without wearing a hijab, which is mandatory for all Iranian athletes, as anti-government protests continue in Iran.
Read more »