Iranian climber who competed without hijab returns, denies disappearance rumours

Iranian climber Elnaz Rekabi, who caused controversy by competing in an international contest without a headscarf, returned to Iran on Wednesday to a heroine's welcome by cheering supporters.

Footage had shown Rekabi, 33, scaling a wall without her head covered while competing in South Korea while representing Iran, which has been swept by protests ignited by Mahsa Amini's death in morality police custody.

In comments to state TV upon her arrival in Tehran, Rekabi said she had returned in "full health" and apologized to "the people of Iran for the turbulence and worry that I created," her head covered by a baseball cap and a hood as she spoke.

BBC Persian had reported on Tuesday that friends had been unable to contact her, and there were fears for her safety. Iran’s embassy in South Korea, on Twitter, denied reports about her going missing after the competition.

For more info, please go to https://globalnews.ca/news/9209605/elnaz-rekabi-iran-climber-hijab-crowds-return-tehran/

Subscribe to Global News Channel HERE: http://bit.ly/20fcXDc
Like Global News on Facebook HERE: http://bit.ly/255GMJQ
Follow Global News on Twitter HERE: http://bit.ly/1Toz8mt
Follow Global News on Instagram HERE: https://bit.ly/2QZaZIB
#GlobalNews