Atlanta (US): Iranian Chess player Sara Khadem, also known as Sarasadat Khademalsharieh, recently took part in a tournament without wearing a hijab, says an Agency report.
Since the start of anti-government protests in September in Iran, Khadem is the most recent player to compete without a hijab.The protests in Iran were triggered by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini after she was detained by the police force.
According to reports in the local media, Khadem was photographed competing in the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships in Almaty, Kazakhstan, without wearing the headscarf, which is required by Iranian law.
The chess player was born in 1997 and is currently ranked number 10 in Iran among active players worldwide (804th overall), says the International Chess Federation.
According to Agency reports, Iran's deputy sports minister Maryam Kazemipour, in a statement said earlier that athletes who violated Islamic principles afterwards "regretted" their behaviour and "are searching for a chance to make up for their error."
As per Amnesty International, as of November, Iranian authorities are seeking the death penalty for at least 21 people in connection with the protests.
Iran has suspended its so-called morality police, which penalised women for not adhering to a stringent dress code, the Iranian prosecutor general said after the anti-hijab protest continued into the third month, triggered by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini after she was detained by the police force. (with ANI inputs)
