Fears are growing over Elnaz Rekabi’s safety
(Picture: Twitter/IranIntl_En)Iranian athlete Elnaz Rekabi is feared to be "missing" after competing without a hijab at an international climbing competition.
Rekabi defied Iran's strict rules in an apparent act of solidarity with the protests in her country following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who was detained by the country’s morality police over her clothing.
The 33-year-old was competing in the Asian Championships in South Korea. The Iran Embassy in Seoul claimed on Tuesday that Rekabi had flown back to Tehran two days earlier than planned, which Iran Wire report was to avoid possible protests at Imam Khomeini International Airport.
BBC Persian on Tuesday reported that friends and family have been unable to contact Rekabi since Monday, and believe her "passport and mobile phone have been confiscated". Reporter Rana Rahimpour expressed fears that the climber could be transported straight to prison upon arrival back in Iran.
In a historic move, Iranian athlete Elnaz Rekabi who represented Iran at the Asian Climbing Competitions finals in Seoul, competed without hijab, disobeying the Islamic Republic's restrictions for female athletes. pic.twitter.com/KvxE5NoQLi
— Iran International English (@IranIntl_En) October 16, 2022
"Our understanding is that she is returning to Iran, and we will continue to monitor the situation as it develops on her arrival," the International Federation of Sport Climbing, which oversaw the event, said in a statement.
"It is important to stress that athletes' safety is paramount for us and we support any efforts to keep a valued member of our community safe in this situation."
Iran has in recent weeks seen nationwide protests against the compulsory hijab laws, which require women to cover their hair with a headscarf and their arms and legs with loose clothing.
Amini, 22, last month died in custody after being detained for allegedly wearing her headscarf too loosely. Leaked medical scans appeared to show Amini suffered skull fractures, while police claim she suffered a heart attack.
