Tehran prosecutors charge marathon organizers over women running without hijab

A 10-kilometre race held on Friday in Tehran's Velayat park featured male and female categories, and viral footage showed many women competing without a hijab. The Tehran public prosecutor announced criminal charges against the event's organizers, citing violations of religious and legal norms, though it did not detail the specific statutes or identify the individuals involved. Ultra-conservative media criticised the organizers, whereas the Iranian Athletics Federation claimed athletes had signed a commitment to respect hijab rules and were provided scarves before the start.

The federation also asserted that all required permits had been obtained. The incident echoes a December marathon on Kish island, where authorities similarly charged organizers and briefly detained two responsible parties. The Tehran case occurs shortly after the anniversary of Mahsa Amini's death, which sparked nationwide protests over compulsory veiling.