A female Iranian climber who competed in an international tournament without a hijab did so as her headscarf had fallen off by mistake, a post on her instagram account claimed yesterday.
Footage of Elnaz Rekabi, 33, scaling a wall without her head covered during an international tournament went viral against a backdrop of big female-led demonstrations against Iran’s clerical rulers sparked by strict Islamic rules on women’s clothing.
Supporters of the protests on social media described Rekabi as a hero, posting images of her climbing up the letters of the protest slogan woman, life, freedom”.
Nothing had been heard from Rekabi since the event in South Korea until a story published yesterday morning on her Instagram account, where she has more than 200,000 followers. I firstly apologise for all the concerns I have caused,’ the statement said, explaining that, because of the timing and sudden call to begin the climb, her hijab unintentionally became problematic”. It added: I am currently on my way back to Iran alongside the team based on the pre-scheduled timetable.”
Iran’s government routinely pressures activists at home and abroad, often airing what rights groups describe as coerced confessions on state TV. The claim of an error on Instagram may suggest the regime is trying to avoid jailing her after the video of her in action went viral.
The BBC quoted well-informed sources” yesterday saying that Rekabi’s passport and mobile phone had been confiscated before she boarded a plane back to Tehran.
The BBC World Service presenter Rana Rahimpour tweeted that there are concerns about her safety”.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة October 19, 2022 من The Guardian.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة October 19, 2022 من The Guardian.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
The Filter Cast-iron alternatives to Le Creuset for less
Le Creuset's colourful pans have long topped the wishlists of amateur and professional cooks.
Money hacks How to find a pet-sitter you can trust
Unless you have family, a friend or a neighbour who can care for your pet when you're away, you'll need to find a pet-sitter you can trust.
Pensions An A to Z of how to save for your retirement
Everything you need to know to plan for your future and make the most of your finances. Rupert Jones and Hilary Osborne report
'A fork in the road' AI's bid to help on laundry days at Europe's tech summit
This year's Web Summit in Lisbon was all about artificial intelligence and a robot sorting laundry.
Brexit So how could Labour improve EU ties for the sake of growth?
The Bank of England governor, Andrew Bailey, said this week that Brexit had undermined the UK's economy, and urged the government to improve relations with the EU for the sake of growth.
Aviation Flying taxis: destined never to take off?
In a dreary November day in the Cotswolds, the VX4 - a cross between a plane and a helicopter - rose from an airport runway, hovered a few feet off the ground and set back down.
Property firm back in profit as workers return to offices
One of Britain's biggest property developers has provided further evidence of the return to office working, saying occupancy in its central London offices is at an all-time high and the value of its portfolio has returned to growth.
Analysis Summer of dark warnings from the Treasury may have cast a shadow on growth
It was hardly surprising that the chancellor, Rachel Reeves, declared herself \"not satisfied\" with the news that the UK's GDP expanded by a measly 0.1% in the three months to September.
Contracting GDP adds to German woes as general election looms
Germany's looming general election will be fought against the backdrop of a stagnating economy, the European Commission has forecast, with GDP expected to have contracted in 2024.
UK economy slows amid jitters over Labour budget
The UK economy slowed to a near-standstill in the third quarter as uncertainty around Labour's first budget and high interest rates weighed on business and consumer spending.
