Coach arrested in Iran for moving without a headscarf

A well-known sports coach in Iran, Khaniya Shariati Rudposhti, was detained for performing gymnastic moves in public without a headscarf. This was reported by Zamin.uz.

According to “Iran International,” the incident occurred following a violation of public dress codes.

The athlete was found to have “violated Islamic norms” by performing gymnastic moves in front of the local population without covering her head. According to the Hengau human rights organization based in Norway, Shariati was arrested by security services on the evening of November 9.

She was only allowed brief phone contact with her family, but her current whereabouts are unknown. Shariati’s social media pages, including her Instagram account with over 160,000 followers, are being monitored by security agencies.

High-ranking representatives of the Iranian government have recently emphasized the necessity of strict measures to ensure compliance with dress codes in public places. According to Iran’s chief prosecutor Mohammad Movahedi Azad, adherence to “Islamic dress” requirements is considered not only a legal obligation but also a religious duty.

Under Iranian law, women are required to cover their heads in public places. However, some human rights activists regard this requirement as a restriction on personal freedom.

This incident highlights that issues related to dress and personal freedom remain highly relevant in the country.