The Iranian archer said she did not notice the fall of the headscarf

DUBAI (Reuters) – An Iranian Siham said she did not notice her headscarf falling off her head during an awards ceremony in Tehran, after a video clip surfaced showing her permission to wear it in what was widely assumed to be a headscarf. Show support for nationwide protests.

Parmida Ghassemi, in an Instagram video, said she did not notice the headscarf falling “because of the wind and a lot of stress”.

She said wearing a hijab in a video.

Her statement sparked comments on social media suggesting she had been under pressure. Human rights groups say the Iranian authorities have a track record of broadcasting forced confessions. Iranian officials reject such accusations.

Iran has seen deep protests since the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in the custody of the morality police nearly two months ago after being detained for her “improper dress”.

Women waved and burned headscarves – which are mandatory under Iran’s conservative dress code – during the demonstrations that represent one of the boldest challenges facing the Islamic Republic since the 1979 revolution.

Videos posted on social media allegedly showed Iran’s national basketball team abstaining from singing the national anthem during a match with China in Tehran on Friday, after videos on social media earlier this week showed the national water polo team also failed. To sing it in a competition in Thailand. .

A cleric in the northwestern city of Urmia called during Friday prayers to punish athletes who refrained from chanting the national anthem, according to Iranian news agencies.

In the video of the archery competition event circulating on social media this week, Qasemi was standing alongside others on a podium, removing her headscarf while unseen people in the audience applauded and shouted “Bravo.” The player standing next to her tries to lift her veil, but turns away from her head.

Last month, Iranian climber Elnaz Rakabi sparked controversy by participating in an international competition without a headscarf, later saying she did so unintentionally and apologizing.

Iran’s Deputy Sports Minister, Maryam Kazemipour, said on Wednesday that some Iranian female athletes acted contrary to Islamic norms and then apologized for their actions.

Last week, players of the national beach soccer team refused to sing the Iranian anthem at the start of a match against the United Arab Emirates in Dubai, according to a widely followed activist account known as 1500tasvir.

The account stated that the players did not cheer or celebrate on Sunday after beating Brazil to win the tournament.

Prepared by The Dubai Newsroom Writing by Tom Perry Editing by Frances Kerry

Our criteria: Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.