THE SPORTS SCAN –
In South Korea, Elnaz Rekabi took part in a competition without covering her face with a veil. A sign that was interpreted as both a protest against Mahsa Amini and support for her.
Elnaz Rekabi, an Iranian sportswoman, competed without a veil in the Asian climbing championships in South Korea. This act was perceived as a sign of solidarity with the demonstrations that have been taking place in Iran. Concerns continued to be raised on Tuesday about what would happen to Elnaz Reka.
According to footage made public by the International Climbing Federation, Elnaz Rekabi, who is 33 years old, wore a bandana while competing in the bouldering event and a headband that exposed his hair while competing in a second event.
The competition took place on Sunday, exactly one month to the day after the death of Mahsa Amini, who was arrested in Tehran for “wearing inappropriate clothes” due to a veil not sufficiently covering hair given morality police and sparked a wave of protests across the country. She placed fourth in the competition, which took place exactly one month to the day after her death.
Read moreThe rallies of support for Mahsa Amini in the Middle East’s desire to reshuffle the cards regarding the status of women.
Since these rallies, the topic of sports in Iran has become increasingly controversial, and some notable Iranian sportswomen have spoken out in favor of women’s rights. Famous footballers have also come under fire for their statements regarding the move, such as soccer legend Ali Daei, who had his passport temporarily taken after making comments about the move.
Elnaz Rekabi made his first comment since Sunday on his Instagram account, which has over 200,000 followers, where he featured an “apology for the worry” that she was able to cause and assured that the decision to remove her veil was not “not intentional,” but rather motivated by the call to carry out the test earlier than planned. This was Elnaz Rekabi’s first comment since Sunday. Even while competing in events outside of Iran, Iranian women athletes are required to cover their hair and faces with veils by the Islamic Republic.
On social media, protesters had referred to Ms. Rekabi as “heroin,” uploading photographs of his ascent alongside the slogan of the demonstration, which read “woman, life, freedom.”
The interested individual announces on Instagram that “I am currently on my way back to Iran with the team on schedule.”
Read also: “The killing of Mahsa Amini has awakened Iranian men.” — Protests in Iran: “The murder of Mahsa Amini has awakened Iranian men.”
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It has been stated that Iranian officials in South Korea exerted pressure on Elnaz Rekabi before she released this statement, which has led to many doubts being raised about the circumstances surrounding the release of this statement.
According to an unnamed source mentioned by the BBC in Persian, her friends were unable to reach her, and the team checked out of their hotel in Seoul on Monday, which was two days earlier than was originally scheduled. According to the same source, both his mobile phone and his passport were seized by the authorities.
According to a news article published on the website Iran Wire, the president of the Iranian climbing federation is suspected of luring her to the Iranian embassy with the promise of driving her directly to the airport.
According to reports in the media, he allegedly would have guaranteed Elnaz Rekabi’s safety upon her return to Iran on the condition that she turned over both her phone and her passport.
According to a statement that was given to AFP, the Iranian embassy in Seoul refuted all of the rumors and false information that were circulating regarding her status and said that she had departed South Korea with her colleagues on Tuesday.
According to a statement made in Geneva by one of the organization’s spokespersons, Ravina Shamdasani, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights of the United Nations has indicated that it is “aware” of this file and warned that he “would follow very carefully.” Ravina Shamdasani’s statement was made public in Geneva.
After the boxer Sadaf Khadem 2019, who has been living in exile in France since the Islamic Republic was established in 1979, Elnaz Rekabi is the second Iranian known to have participated revealed in a sports tournament since the Islamic Republic was established.