Mystery Over Iranian Climber's Hijab Mistake'

Mystery of apology’ from woman who climbed without wearing her hijab

- Justin McCurry Tokyo, Patrick Wintour, Moones Mansoubi Sydney

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”.