Two Marathon Organisers Arrested in Iran After Women Run Without Hijabs

Iranian authorities have arrested two organisers of a marathon on Kish Island after videos and photographs from the event showed several women participating without the mandatory hijab.

The race, which drew thousands of runners from across the country, was held with separate male and female categories, yet images depicting unveiled women triggered immediate judicial action.

According to officials, the organisers failed to enforce Iran’s mandatory dress-code regulations despite prior warnings issued before the event.

One of the detained individuals is a senior figure connected to the island’s free-zone administration, while the second belongs to the private company that oversaw event logistics. Both now face charges related to “violating public morality” and “non-compliance with Islamic dress laws.”

The arrests come at a time of heightened scrutiny over public behaviour and women’s rights in Iran. The mandatory hijab law remains one of the most sensitive and contested issues in the country, particularly since the nationwide protests that followed the 2022 death of Mahsa Amini. Conservative factions have increasingly pushed for strict enforcement, while many citizens continue to challenge the law through everyday forms of civil resistance.

The Kish marathon incident has revived the national debate. Reformist voices have described the participation of unveiled women as a symbolic act of autonomy, while hardline groups have condemned it as a breach of religious norms. Legal proceedings have now been initiated, and authorities have suggested further examinations of public events to ensure compliance with Islamic codes.

This episode highlights growing tensions between evolving social behaviours and the state’s efforts to reinforce traditional regulations. It also underscores the precarious environment for organisers of public events, who now face significant legal risks if dress-code rules are not strictly enforced.

Source: The Guardian; Indian Express; Kurdistan24; Regional news outlets