CNN
—
A feminine Iranian climber, who didn’t put on a hijab at a global competitors in South Korea, left for Iran on Tuesday as Iranian teams primarily based overseas raised alarms over her destiny again dwelling.
Elnaz Rekabi, 33, competed with out a hijab in the course of the Worldwide Federation of Sport Climbing’s Asian Championships in Seoul on Sunday. Movies of her carrying a scarf together with her hair in a ponytail whereas competing, unfold on social media.
Her return to Iran comes amid nationwide protests in Iran calling for larger freedoms for girls, following the loss of life of a 22-year-old lady who died in police custody after her arrest for allegedly carrying her hijab improperly.
Protester says Iranian safety forces firing ‘military-grade bullets’ at homes
In a narrative posted on Rekabi’s Instagram web page on Tuesday, the athlete mentioned she was known as to climb the wall “unexpectedly” which “unintentionally” created an issue together with her hair overlaying.
“Because of unhealthy timing and unexpectedly being known as to climb the wall, I inadvertently created an issue with my head overlaying,” she wrote.
“Apologizing for the troubles that I induced … presently, in accordance with the pre-determined schedule I’m returning to Iran with the workforce,” the IG story put up mentioned.
Iran mandates girls put on a hijab when formally representing the nation overseas.
A information web site essential of the Iranian regime, IranWire, alleged that Rekabi will probably be transferred to jail upon arrival. CNN couldn’t independently confirm that declare.
The Iranian embassy in Seoul mentioned that Rekabi departed on Wednesday together with “different members of the workforce” and “strongly denied all of the pretend, false information and disinformation.”
Within the Twitter put up, the embassy posted an image of Rekabi from earlier video games in Russia the place she was competing carrying the hijab.
The Worldwide Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC) mentioned it’s “totally conscious of stories” concerning Rekabi and it’s their “understanding” that she is returning to Iran.
“There may be plenty of info within the public sphere concerning Ms Rekabi and as an organisation we have now been making an attempt to ascertain the details. We’ve got additionally been in touch with Ms Rekabi and the Iranian Climbing Federation,” an announcement by the IFSC mentioned.
“We are going to proceed to watch the state of affairs because it develops on her arrival,” the assertion mentioned.
In response to an inquiry, the South Korean authorities mentioned they might not reveal non-public info on whether or not an individual has left the nation.
Calls positioned to 2 Iranian workforce coaches presently in Seoul weren’t answered.
