A mural of the Iranian climber Elnaz Rekabi who is believed to be under house arrest has been unveiled in Nottingham with her permission. The climber was competing in South Korea without a headscarf in protest at the recent death of Mahsa Amini, who was arrested by Iran's notorious morality police.
Rekabi received a hero's welcome when returning to Iran, but reports now suggest that she is under house arrest in the country. A painting of the climber has now been unveiled at Boatyard Boulders, a climbing and bouldering park which is being developed along the River Trent.
The developers behind the project launched a Women in Sport graffiti series which began with a mural of the Euro 2022 winner Mary Earps. Elnaz Rekabi was next on the list but following the reports of the house arrest, Boatyard Boulders did not want the mural to lead to any unintended consequences.
READ MORE: The 8 best places to live in Nottinghamshire according to guide
But after the permission and approval from the climber herself was sought, the artwork has now been released. Boatyard Boulders will eventually be a full rock climbing and bouldering park, complete with a café and watersports activities.
The owner Ben Hunter has been installing climbing walls for more than 20 years through his Mock Rock business. The site says it will work in partnership with local charities and have one day a week reserved for school bookings.
READ NEXT:
- Baseball bat attack seen by passing drivers leaves man in hospital
- Hunt for 3 teenagers after 'nasty attack' in restaurant doorway
- Grandmother's Halloween house with gravestones, cobwebs and even a fog machine
- Speed bump calls where crash into wall was 'waiting to happen'
- Man arrested after big bang heard when car went into building
