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Iran Arrests Two Kish Marathon Organizers After Unveiled Women Ran

The arrests reflect a judiciary push for stricter hijab enforcement against a backdrop of presidential resistance.

Overview

  • Judicial authorities said the event violated public decency, and Mizan reported two detainees under court warrants: a Kish official and an employee of the private firm that organized the race.
  • Prosecutors opened a criminal case against the organizers and called for “decisive, deterrent and unforgiving” penalties.
  • More than 5,000 people took part on Friday on the resort island, with women-only races and social media images showing some participants without headscarves.
  • The state-linked Tasnim agency blamed a lack of oversight for widespread breaches of dress rules during the competition.
  • The escalation follows parliamentary pressure for tougher enforcement as Judiciary Chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Eje'i urged action, while President Massud Peseschkian rejects coercion and refused to sign a bill imposing harsher penalties.