Iranian footballer jailed for photos with unveiled women

Iranian footballer, Sosha Makani, has been arrested after pictures emerged on social media showing him posing with women not wearing a hijab.

Society

1 min read

The New Arab

11 January, 2016

Makani has represented the Iranian national team at the 2014 FIFA World Cup [Twitter]

An Iranian footballer has been arrested after pictures emerged on social media showing him with women not wearing hijabs, which Iranian women must wear by law.

Goalkeeper Sosha Makani was arrested last week and jailed following a complaint from private plaintiffs, The New Arab's Arabic service has reported.

Makani will remain in jail pending an investigation for "publishing pictures that lead to the spread of corruption and prostitution in society".

Makani's lawyer, Behnam Ali Mohammadi, has said that his client's Instagram and Telegram accounts were taken over by hackers, who posted Makani's personal pictures on his public accounts.

In the pictures, Makani is seen holding hands and dancing with several young unveiled women.

The 28-year-old plays professionally for the popular Tehran-based club Persepolis and represented the Iranian national football team at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Iran bans mingling between unrelated members of the opposite sex, and unmarried couple who are caught together in public can face legal action.

Tehran prosecutor Abbas Jafari Dolatabadi warned athletes and artists last week against sharing images deemed anti-Islamic on social media.

Iran's government has stepped up efforts in recent years to monitor Iranians' online activities.