CNN
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An Iranian female rock climber, who did not wear a hijab at an international competition in South Korea, is back. Iran when groups of Iranians abroad voiced warnings about her fate at home.
Elnaz Rekabi, 33, competed without a hijab during the International Climbing Sports Federation Asian Championships in Seoul on Sunday. Video of her wearing a headband with her hair tied in a ponytail while competing went viral on social media.
Rekabi arrived in Tehran early Wednesday morning, state media IRNA reported. Video posted on social media shows her arriving at the capital’s Imam Khomeini international airport. She also spoke to the media.
Videos posted on social media appear to show crowds gathering both inside and outside the airport, chanting “hero Elnaz”.
It is unclear if Rekabi is in custody or if she will face the consequences.
Her return to Iran takes place in the background nationwide protests in the country call for greater freedom for women, following death of a 22-year-old woman who died in police custody after she was arrested for allegedly wearing a headscarf improperly.
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In a story posted on Rekabi’s Instagram page on Tuesday, the athlete said she was called upon to climb the wall “unexpectedly”, which “accidentally” created problems with her hair covering. Teacher.
“Due to the wrong time and unexpected call to climb the wall, I accidentally created a problem with my hijab,” she wrote.
“Sorry for the worries I have caused… currently, according to the predetermined schedule, I will be returning to Iran with the team,” the IG post read.
Iran requires women to wear a headscarf when officially representing the country abroad.
A news website critical of the Iranian regime, IranWire, alleged that Rekabi would be sent to prison upon arrival, leaving human rights groups worried about what would happen to her.
Amnesty International on Monday said it was worried by the prospect of Rekabi’s return.
“Elnaz Rekabi should not be forced to return Iran,” Amnesty said in a statement, adding that “she is indeed at risk of arbitrary arrest, torture and other ill-treatment due to her violation of the law.” violate the government’s mandatory face covering regulations,” Amnesty wrote.
CNN was unable to independently verify reports of Rekabi being forced back into Iran.
The Iranian embassy in Seoul said that Rekabi departed on Tuesday with “other members of the team” and “strongly denies all fake news, false facts and misinformation”.
In the Twitter post, the embassy posted a photo of Rekabi from previous matches in Russia, where she was competing with a headscarf.
“It is understood that all members of the Iranian delegation including Elnaz Rekabi left North Korea after attending the sporting event,” South Korea’s foreign ministry told CNN in a statement.
The Norwegian-based director of Iranian human rights group Mahmood Reza Amiry-Moghaddam told CNN on Tuesday: “The punishment has begun.
“You know, the fact that she didn’t participate one day… and then she just wrote this one message on her Instagram. So the pressure on her started from South Korea,” he said, “I don’t think anyone believes what the Iranian authorities say. ”
The International Sports Climbing Federation (IFSC) said it was “fully aware of the news” regarding Rekabi and that it “understood” that she would return to Iran.
“There is a lot of information in the community regarding Ms. Rekabi and as an organization we have tried to establish the facts. We have also reached out to Ms Rekabi and the Iran Mountaineering Federation,” an IFSC statement said.
“We will continue to monitor the situation as it develops upon her arrival,” the statement said.
Calls to two Iranian team coaches currently in Seoul went unanswered.
Correction: an earlier version of this story incorrectly stated the date Rekabi was supposed to leave Seoul.
