According to the BBC, his family has no news of the athlete, who participated in the Asian Climbing Championships in Seoul with his hair uncovered.
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Where is Elnaz Rekabi? The family of the Iranian athlete who defied power by participating in the Asian climbing championships without a veil on Sunday October 16 has not heard from his relatives since, reports the BBC (article in English). The international service of the British media reported on Monday that the young woman had left Seoul (South Korea), where the competition is organized, and had returned to Tehran “two days before the scheduled date”, mentioning “concerns about his safety.”
Update: we have found out that Elnaz Rakebi is on a plane heading to #Tehran, two days earlier than planned. There are concerns about her safety. #Iran #MahsaAmini https://t.co/tXeMZN3Jqz
— Rana Rahimpour (@ranarahimpour) October 17, 2022
By participating in the events with her hair uncovered, the athlete broke the law of her country, according to which women must wear the hijab on Iranian territory, but also when representing the country abroad.
An offense that is part of the protest movement that has inflamed the country since the death of Mahsa Amini, 22, arrested by vice squad for not wearing this Islamic headscarf properly. These demonstrations are violently repressed by the regime.
Also according to the BBC and The GuardianElnaz Rekabi told family members and friends that she was with Iranian officials, before cutting off all contact with them.
In a statement quoted by the British media, the Iranian embassy in Seoul denied these accusations. “Elnaz Rekabi left Seoul on Monday morning, at the end of the competition (…). The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran categorically denies the false information and lies [à son sujet]“, can we read.