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Iran Arrests Marathon Organizers Over Unveiled Women Runners
Authorities arrested two marathon organizers after footage showed many of the 2,000 female runners competing without hijab, violating Iran's mandatory dress code and public decency laws.
- On December 06, 2025, Iran's judiciary opened a criminal case against organisers of a Kish island marathon, citing violations and legal breaches by event organisers.
- Women in Iran are legally required to cover their hair and wear modest clothing, but adherence to the hijab law has become more sporadic since the 2022 Mahsa Amini protests.
- More than 5,000 people took part on Friday and images circulated online showing runners not following the dress code, while conservative outlets Tasnim and Fars condemned the event and the local prosecutor criticized the violation of public decency.
- Chief Justice Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei called for stricter enforcement following the incident, recalling the May 2023 resignation at Iran's athletics federation after a similar breach.
- The government under President Masoud Pezeshkian has refused to ratify a parliament bill on tougher penalties, while earlier this week a majority of lawmakers accused the judiciary of failing to uphold hijab laws.
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71 Articles
71 Articles
‘Is this Iran?’: thousands of women run a marathon without hijab as regime retaliates
Some 2,000 women ran a marathon on a Persian Gulf island, many without a hijab, igniting fury among Iran’s ultraconservatives; authorities now say they have arrested the event’s organizers
·Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel
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Two organizers of a marathon in Iran have been arrested for allowing women to participate in the race without wearing the hijab.
·Copenhagen, Denmark
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Total News Sources71
Leaning Left16Leaning Right5Center7Last UpdatedBias Distribution57% Left
Bias Distribution
- 57% of the sources lean Left
57% Left
L 57%
C 25%
R 18%
Factuality
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