Elnaz Rekabi fears grow after Iranian competed at international event without hijab
CONCERNS ARE mounting for Iranian climber Elnaz Rekabi after she took part in an international competition without a hijab.
Fears are growing for Iranian climber Elnaz Rekabi after she competed in the Asian Championships without a hijab. The 33-year-old finished fourth in South Korea, but her result was overshadowed by the fact she participated without Iran's mandatory headscarf for females.
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Her refusal to wear the head covering was widely considered a gesture in solidarity with domestic protests that have take place in Iran in recent weeks. On Tuesday, the BBC Persian service quoted “well-informed sources”, who claimed the athlete’s phone and passport had been confiscated following the competition - and alleged she was being flown back to Tehran two days earlier than scheduled.
According to the Associated Press, Rekabi said sorry via an Instagram story on her account: "I apologise about what I did to make you worry." The post also described her as "unintentionally" not wearing her hijab amid a claim she was "rushed."
However, Zeinab Moosavi, a friend of Rekabi's who has represented her country in national ice climbing team, has also taken to Instagram to voice fears over the safety of the star: "Considering all the events that have happened, all of Iran and the world are worried about Elnaz's condition after her arrival in Iran," she wrote.
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"We can only pray and ask God to make the best decision for dear Elnaz in this situation." Moosavi also described Rekabi as a "brave and powerful girl" and pledged to her friend that "a nation stands by you."
However, the Iranian embassy in Korea have hit back at suggestions the climber has been mistreated, tweeting a picture of her - with a headscarf on - and stating: "Ms Elnaz Rekabi departed from Seoul to Iran, early morning of October 18, 2022, along with the other members of the Team. The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in South Korea strongly denies all the fake, false news and disinformation regarding Ms. Elnaz Rekabi."
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The International Federation of Sport Climbing has said it is "trying to establish the facts" over Rekabi's situation, adding: "Our understanding is that she is returning to Iran, and we will continue to monitor the situation as it develops on her arrival."
Rekabi has one Silver and two Bronze medals from previous Asian Championships. Last year, she won Bronze in the combined event of the World Championships in Moscow.
