Iranian competitive climber Elnaz Rekabi reportedly missing
Iranian competitive climber Elnaz Rekabi, who was believed to have gone missing, arrived back in Tehran today. Media reports say large crowds of supporters gathered at the Imam Khomeini International Airport outside of Tehran today morning to welcome her back. The 33-year-old climber took part in the Asian Sport Climbing Championships in South Korea on Sunday, where she did not wear Iran’s mandatory headscarf.
However, she later expressed regret and said that her appearance without a hijab was unintentional. The Islamic republic’s strict dress code requires a compulsory headscarf for women, which also applies to all female athletes, including while participating overseas. Iran is gripped by protests against the hijab laws and its clerical leaders.
