Iran: Public prosecutors accuse marathon organizers of women without veil

“ Ddue to the holding of an event called ‘Marathon of Tehran’, in which religious and legal norms were not respected, a lawsuit was opened with the intervention of the Tehran Attorney’s Office,” said Mizan, Iranian Judicial Branch.

Mizan did not specify that concrete rules were infringed or identified the persons against whom the charges were brought.

The 10-kilometre race took place on Friday at Velayat Park, in the south of the Iranian capital, in the male and female categories, and the images released on social networks showed numerous participants in sportswear and without veil.

This triggered controversy in the ultra-conservative media, such as the Fars agency, linked to the Revolutionary Guard, which criticized those responsible and organizers of the race.

However, the Iranian Federation of Athletics stated that, before the start of the race, participants were asked to sign a written commitment to respect the 'hijab' (Islamic Veil) and religious norms of conduct and that each of the athletes was handed a handkerchief to cover their heads.

According to the Federation, the race took place after obtaining “all necessary permits”.

The case recalls what happened last December on the island of Kish, where about 5,200 people participated in a marathon divided into male and female categories and numerous women ran without the mandatory ‘hijab’.

The Kish Prosecutor's Office then filed a case against the organisers for alleged non-compliance with the rules and, the day after the race, announced the arrest of two of its officials, who were later released on bail, but subject to judicial supervision measures and a ban on professional activity.

The participation of women without ‘hijab’ in the Tehran competition took place two days after the fourth anniversary of Mahsa Amini’s death in police custody after being arrested for not wearing the Islamic veil properly.

The 22-year-old death of Amini provoked protests of a strong feminist nature that, under the motto “woman, life, freedom”, demanded the end of the Islamic Republic.

The protests ended with state repression that caused at least 500 deaths and 22,000 detainees.

Since then, many women have continued with a kind of civil disobedience, with some who refused to cover their hair despite arrests and punishments such as the seizure of vehicles.

Now, in the great cities of the country there is a slowdown in clothing restrictions probably not seen since the arrival of the Islamic Republic, with many Iranians who have completely abandoned the veil and dress as they decide.