The previous nationwide workforce participant has been charged with ‘spreading propaganda’ as authorities proceed a crackdown on anti-government protests.
Iranian safety forces have arrested well-liked soccer participant Voria Ghafouri on costs of getting “tarnished the repute of the nationwide workforce” and spreading “propaganda” towards Iran.
Ghafouri, who's of Kurdish origins and has strongly supported the protests which have rocked the nation since September, was arrested after a membership coaching session on Thursday, the Fars information company reported.
Ghafouri has represented Iran’s nationwide soccer workforce prior to now, however was not referred to as up for this yr’s World Cup in Qatar, the place the nationwide workforce avoided singing the nationwide anthem at their first match towards England on Monday.
Ghafouri, who has performed for Esteghlal, one in every of Iran’s greatest golf equipment, is among the many most distinguished figures arrested in a widescale crackdown on protesters, together with within the western Kurdish areas from which he hails, with rights teams saying dozens have been killed during the last week alone.
Iran has seen greater than two months of demonstrations, sparked by the loss of life in custody of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, herself of Kurdish origin, after she was arrested for an alleged breach of the nation’s strict gown code for girls.
On his social media accounts, Ghafouri had strongly backed the protests and reported visiting Kurdish-populated areas of western Iran to specific solidarity with households of these killed throughout the protests.
Kurdish-focused rights group Hengaw, primarily based in Norway, additionally mentioned he had been arrested, sharing an Instagram image that the participant had posted of himself in conventional Kurdish gown.
Soccer participant Voria Ghafouri, from Sanandaj and a former member of Iran's nationwide workforce who now performs for Foolad F.C, was kidnapped by Iranian authorities authorities.
Thursday, November 24, 2022#JinaAminipic.twitter.com/4atp80DBup— Hengaw Group for Human Rights (@Hengaw_English) November 24, 2022
Ghafouri received explicit reward for visiting the younger daughter of a lady who had been killed within the protests and giving her a pill as a present.
Former Iranian worldwide footballer Ali Karimi, one other outspoken supporter of the protests, additionally posted the identical picture of Ghafouri in Kurdish gown on his Twitter account in assist of the participant.
“For the honourable Voria,” he wrote.
Ghafouri was previously Esteghlal’s captain earlier than his contract was terminated and he moved to Foolad Khuzestan.
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