Iranian soccer legend Ali Daei, who supported protests following the death of Mahsa Amini, on Monday accused Tehran of diverting a flight carrying his wife and daughter to Dubai.
The Iranian judiciary sealed Ali Daei’s jewelry store and restaurant in early December for joining protesters’ calls for a strike after Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian of Kurdish origin who died in custody, on September 16, 3 days after his death Arrested by the Vice Police who accused him of violating the strict dress code for women.
His passport was confiscated
State media confirmed that Ali Daei’s family was banned from leaving the country due to their “association” with anti-government groups. The ex-footballer’s wife and daughter boarded a Mahan Air flight bound for Tehran but were forced off the plane after landing on Iran’s Gulf island of Kish, said the 53-year-old athlete, who was quoted by the ISNA agency. “They were not arrested,” he added. No one has given me an answer about this incident. I really don’t know what the reason for this decision is. My wife and daughter wanted to go to Dubai for a few days. »
Daei’s wife has pledged to inform the authorities if she wants to leave the country “because of her ties to groups hostile to the Islamic revolution and the rioters,” says the IRNA agency, citing the judiciary. The former striker said in October his passport was confiscated by police on his return from abroad, only to be returned a few days later. He also says he is the target of threats because he supported the protests sparked by Mahsa Amini’s death.
On September 27, Daei took to social media to urge the government to “solve the problems of the Iranian people instead of resorting to repression.” The Iranian legend played in the Bundesliga, most notably at Bayern Munich, and his 109 goals at international level were surpassed only by Cristiano Ronaldo. He did not take part in the World Cup in Qatar because of the suppression of protests.