Family of Soccer Legend Snatched From Flight Leaving Iran

Iranian authorities ordered the touchdown of a flight carrying the relations of Ali Daei on Monday, accusing the Iranian soccer star and his family members of taking part in anti-government protests, in response to Iranian state information company IRNA.

Daei’s spouse and daughter had been heading to Dubai from Tehran on a Mahan Air flight when the aircraft was instructed to land on Iran’s Kish Island, about hundred miles outdoors of town, they usually had been faraway from the flight. IRNA claims that authorities allowed them to return to Tehran.

Throughout an ongoing wave of protests in opposition to Iran’s leadership—sparked by the demise of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who died in police custody after she was arrested for violating Iran’s strict costume codes—Daei has been one of many nation’s most outspoken stars. Along with boycotting this yr’s World Cup, the soccer supervisor closed a jewellery store and restaurant he owns in solidarity with demonstrators for 3 days earlier this month. Each institutions had been later shut down by the authorities.

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Likewise, Iran’s official information group has accused Daei and his household of “backing anti-revolutionary teams and rioters, and calling for strikes.” Whereas one other semi-official Tasnim information company mentioned Daei’s spouse was banned from leaving Iran however had managed to board the flight illegally.

This newest incident involving Daei’s household is one more instance of the Islamic Republic tightening restrictions in opposition to dissenters in mild of this yr’s demonstrations. This month, Iran hung two men in connection to protests. Whereas social media has spent the previous few months speculating what number of protestors the state has ordered to be killed, these are the primary confirmed executions.

Thus far, neither Daei nor household have responded publicly to the flight incident.

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