CNN
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A feminine Iranian rock climber, who competed with out a hijab at a global pageant in South Korea, has taken to social media to thank her supporters – amid conflicting studies over whether or not she has been put beneath space 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 overdue Friday.
Alongside a photograph of herself rock hiking – during 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 perceived to display Rekabi being greeted by means of crowds chanting “Elnaz the hero” when she arrived again at Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport on Wednesday morning.
Her go back to Iran comes amid national protests within the nation calling for larger freedoms for girls, following the loss of life of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, a lady who died in police custody after her arrest for allegedly dressed in her hijab improperly.
Consequently, some protesters see her as an emblem of the purpose and rights teams have expressed fears for what is going to occur to her now she is again in Iran. A information website online essential of the Iranian regime, IranCord, had claimed that Rekabi could be transferred to jail upon her arrival again within the nation.
Rekabi herself has prompt – each on her Instagram account and in interviews with state media IRNA – that she had simplest “accidentally” competed with out her hijab, which Iran mandates should be worn by means of ladies representing the rustic in another country.
However, it’s unclear whether or not Rekabi’s feedback have been made beneath duress.
Her newest feedback on Instagram got here as the top of the Iranian federation of hiking and recreation hiking reportedly denied that Rekabi was once beneath space arrest.
Speaking with the Iranian government-affiliated Borna News Agency, Reza Zarei stated Rekabi was once “now with her family.”
Zarei additionally denied rumors that he had gained exams or assets 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 not independently examine whether or not or no longer Rekabi is beneath space arrest.
Meanwhile, Iran replied Friday to Canadian sanctions concentrated on Iranian information stations, describing them as an “absurdity.”
Canada stated this month it could impose further sanctions on Iranian folks and entities that had participated in or enabled human rights violations.
It stated the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its most sensible leaders – greater than 10,000 officials and senior individuals – would now be barred from getting 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 come with the Tasnim News Agency, Kihan newspaper, Noor News, and Fars News Agency.
Kanani wrote on Instagram that such sanctions display “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.”
