CNN
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A feminine Iranian rock climber, who competed and not using a hijab at a world competitors in South Korea, has taken to social media to thank her supporters – amid conflicting reviews over whether or not she has been put below home arrest.
“I am endlessly grateful for the support of you, all the people of Iran, the most decent people of the planet, athletes and non-athletes, and all your support in [the] international community,” Elnaz Rekabi wrote on Instagram late Friday.
Alongside a photograph of herself mountaineering – by which she seems as a silhouette, suspended within the air – she added, “What I have gained till today was regarding the caring of you beautiful souls; and the future would not be a road without obstacles if you are not coming along.”
Videos posted to social media appeared to indicate Rekabi being greeted by crowds chanting “Elnaz the hero” when she arrived again at Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport on Wednesday morning.
Her return to Iran comes amid nationwide protests within the nation calling for larger freedoms for ladies, following the dying of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, a girl who died in police custody after her arrest for allegedly carrying her hijab improperly.
Consequently, some protesters see her as an emblem of the trigger and rights teams have expressed fears for what’s going to occur to her now she is again in Iran. A information web site important of the Iranian regime, IranWire, had claimed that Rekabi could be transferred to jail upon her arrival again within the nation.
Rekabi herself has instructed – each on her Instagram account and in interviews with state media IRNA – that she had solely “accidentally” competed with out her hijab, which Iran mandates should be worn by ladies representing the nation overseas.
However, it’s unclear whether or not Rekabi’s feedback had been made below duress.
Her newest feedback on Instagram got here as the pinnacle of the Iranian federation of mountaineering and sport climbing reportedly denied that Rekabi was below home arrest.
Speaking with the Iranian government-affiliated Borna News Agency, Reza Zarei stated Rekabi was “now with her family.”
Zarei additionally denied rumors that he had obtained checks or property paperwork from Rekabi or every other athlete competing within the Asian Championship.
Borna information company is affiliated with Iran’s Ministry of Sports and Youth.
CNN can’t independently confirm whether or not or not Rekabi is below home arrest.
Meanwhile, Iran responded Friday to Canadian sanctions focusing on Iranian information stations, describing them as an “absurdity.”
Canada stated this month it could impose further sanctions on Iranian people and entities that had participated in or enabled human rights violations.
It stated the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its high leaders – greater than 10,000 officers and senior members – would now be barred from coming into Canada “for their engagement in terrorism and systemic and gross human rights violations.”
According to Nasser Kanani, spokesperson for Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the most recent Canadian sanctions additionally embody the Tasnim News Agency, Kihan newspaper, Noor News, and Fars News Agency.
Kanani wrote on Instagram that such sanctions present “the absurdity of the West’s slogan regarding free access to information and freedom of expression.”
Kanani added, “The US government’s sanctions madness has gone viral and is quickly being transferred to its friends.”