CNN
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An Iranian-Kurdish footballer has been arrested on fees of “incitement against the regime” as Tehran cracks down on anti-government protesters, consistent with state-aligned information company Tasim.
Voria Ghafouri, who performs as a defender for the Khuzestan Foolad football staff, was once additionally arrested on fees of “dishonorable and insulting comportment towards Iran’s national soccer team.”
“Ghafouri had some harsh reactions in support of the recent rioters and was inciting them,” state affiliated Fars News Agency reported.
London-based opposition information outlet Iran International mentioned the superstar footballer was once fired in June from his earlier staff, Esteghlal FC, for criticizing the federal government in May when he rebuked it for “its handling of protests sparked by a sudden rise in prices.”
Iranian government criticized Ghafouri when it comes to the protests previous within the 12 months, sparked by way of a spike in meals costs after the federal government reduce state subsidies inflicting prices to shoot up by way of 300% in some circumstances.
Iran has since been swept by way of nationwide anti-regime demonstrations activate by way of the dying of Mahsa Amini in September, a 22-year-old Kurdish Iranian lady who was once detained by way of the rustic’s morality police for allegedly now not dressed in her hijab correctly.
The demonstrations have make clear longstanding grievances held by way of the rustic’s Kurdish minority crew, whom safety forces have centered of their brutal marketing campaign clamping down on dissent in Iran.
Ghafouri is from Sanandaj, Iran’s 2d biggest Kurdish town, consistent with the Norway-based Hengaw Organization for Human Rights.
Ghafouri joins a slew of Iranian athletes who’ve spoken out in strengthen of the nationwide rebellion.
Iran’s former nationwide staff goalkeeper, Parviz Boroumand, was once arrested remaining week for destroying public belongings in Tehran all over a protest on November 15, consistent with Tasnim.
Boroumand, 47, performed for Persepolis FC and Esteghlal FC sooner than retiring in 2007 to concentrate on social activism and humanitarian paintings. He was once outspoken in his strengthen of protesters in Iran on his social media channels sooner than his arrest.
Former Iranian footballer Ali Karimi posted his strengthen for Ghafouri and Boroumand after their arrests. “For the honorable Ghafouri,” Karimi tweeted Thursday in conjunction with an image of Ghafouri wearing Kurdish garb.
Karimi, who now lives outdoor of Iran, has been matter to intense scrutiny from the Iranian authorities for vocalizing his strengthen for protesters since past due September.
In November, archer Parmida Ghasemi demonstrated her strengthen for anti-government protests by way of taking out her hijab all over an awards rite in Tehran. Iranian climber Elnaz Rekabi competed in South Korea with out her necessary hijab on within the month prior, later pronouncing it had fallen off unintentionally. However, it was once unclear whether or not Rekabi’s feedback have been made below duress.
