Picture Credit: Twitter
Iranian athlete Elnaz Rekabi became a hero for thousands of protestors back in the country with her one “unintentional” action. But it also brought her to the notice of the government officials who have not been too pleased with the protests over the Islamic Republic’s mandatory hijab. Nevertheless, amid all such drama, the Iranian athlete landed in Tehran early on Wednesday and is thankful to God that nothing has happened so far.
Hundreds gathered outside Imam Khomeini International Airport — including women not wearing the hijab — and cheered for “Elnaz the Champion”. However, the athlete ensured the air is cleared around her action by giving a careful, emotionless interview to Iran’s hard-line state television. Rekabi said that going without a hijab had been an “unintentional” act on her part. She also explained how she forgot to put on the hijab before her climb.
“Because I was busy putting on my shoes and my gear, it caused me to forget to put on my hijab and then I went to compete,” she said. “I came back to Iran with peace of mind although I had a lot of tension and stress. But so far, thank God, nothing has happened,” she added.
While Rekabi landed safely in Tehran, it’s not clear where she went from the airport. Supporters and Farsi-language media outside of Iran have worried about Rekabi’s safety after her return, especially as activists say the demonstrations have seen security forces arrest thousands so far.
The BBC’s Persian service, which has extensive contacts within Iran despite being banned from operating there, quoted an unnamed “informed source” as saying Iranian officials have seized both Rekabi’s mobile phone and passport. BBC Persian also said she initially had been scheduled to return on Wednesday, but her flight apparently had been moved up unexpectedly.
IranWire, another website focusing on the country founded by Iranian Canadian journalist Maziar Bahari who once was detained by Iran, suggested that Rekabi could immediately be taken to Tehran’s notorious Evin Prison, where dissidents are held.