An Iranian climber who created a sensation by attending an event abroad without a hijab was greeted on Wednesday as a hero on his return to Tehran by supporters who hailed his action.
With Iran still shaken by women-led protests death of mahsa amini A month ago, Elnaz Rekabi flew back to Tehran airport after the competition in South Korea.
In an Instagram post and comments at the airport, Ms Recabi apologized for what happened and insisted her hijab – which all Iranian women, including athletes, should wear – was accidentally slipped on.
But activists fear his remarks were made under pressure from Iranian officials, who were likely angered by his actions.
“Elnaaz is a Hero” and “Well Done Elnaaz!” Dozens of supporters raised slogans outside the Imam Khomeini International Airport terminal.
“There remains concern about their safety,” the New York-based Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI) said.
“Due to the prevailing atmosphere in the finals of the competition and the unexpected calls for me to start my race, I became confused with my technical equipment and … which caused me to remain oblivious to the hijab I was supposed to see,” she told Hawaii. Told the pressperson at the airport.
But the Islamic republic has been accused by activists of repeatedly forcing people to make statements of remorse.
British actress of Iranian descent Nazanin Boniadi, who is Amnesty International’s ambassador to the UK, tweeted that it was clear that Ms Recabi was “forced to make this statement by authorities who continue to use coercion and televised confessions”. Huh.” Observers “should not be swayed by state propaganda”, the CHRI said.