Judicial officials in Iran have taken two individuals into custody in connection with a sporting event where female participants were seen without the legally required headscarves.
The detentions occurred after photographs from a marathon on Kish Island circulated online, depicting unveiled women among the competitors. The event reportedly drew thousands of participants.
A judicial news outlet stated that arrest warrants were executed against two primary organizers, one a local official and the other a representative from the private firm that managed the race. A legal case has been initiated against them.
Prosecutors cited a failure to adhere to national laws and societal norms, asserting the event was conducted in a manner that breached standards of public decency. The incident has drawn criticism from conservative media factions, which labeled the marathon as offensive to the country’s legal principles.
National law mandates that women cover their hair and wear modest attire in public spaces. However, adherence to these regulations has varied in recent years, particularly following periods of public protest.
The current administration has not enacted a parliamentary bill that would introduce stricter penalties for violations of the dress code. Meanwhile, senior judicial figures have recently called for more rigorous enforcement of existing laws.
This incident follows previous controversies where sporting officials have faced consequences over similar breaches of the hijab rule at public events.